CV Science

Vincent El Ghouzzi Research Director (DR2 CNRS) at Inserm - NeuroDiderot

Course and current status

Current position                                                                                                              

CNRS Research Director (DR2) at NeuroDiderot, UMR 1141 Inserm-Paris Cité University, Robert-Debré Hospital, Paris, France

Team Leader (NeuroDev team) at NeuroDiderot, UMR 1141 Inserm-Paris Cité University, Robert-Debré Hospital, Paris, France 

Group leader (Microcephaly group) in the NeuroDev team at NeuroDiderot, UMR 1141

Scientific director, hiPS cells & Human Brain Organoid core facility (HumBO) at NeuroDiderot, UMR 1141

Past positions                                                                                                      ____

2023-2025: CNRS Research Scientist (CRHC) and group leader (Microcephaly group) at NeuroDiderot (Inserm UMR1141, Neurodeveloppemental diseases), Robert Debré hospital, Paris, France.

2019-2022 : CNRS Research Scientist (CRCN) and group leader (Microcephaly group) at NeuroDiderot (Inserm UMR1141, Neurodeveloppemental & Neurovascular diseases), Robert Debré hospital, Paris, France.

2007-2018: CNRS Research Scientist (CRCN), Inserm UMR676 and UMR1141, Robert Debré hospital, Paris, France. Team of P. Gressens «Disorders of the developing brain».

2005-2007: CNRS Research Officer (CR1), Laboratory of Neuroprotection of the developing brain (Prof. P. Gressens), Inserm U676 - Robert Debré hospital, Paris, France. Team of P. Rustin «Therapy of mitochondrial diseases»

2000-2005: CNRS Research Officer (CR2), Laboratory of human genetics (Prof. A. Munnich), Inserm U393 - Necker hospital, Paris, France. Team of J. Bonaventure «Genetic bases of skeletal disorders»

Education                                                                                                                        

2014: Habilitation to lead Researches (HDR), Paris 7 University

2009: Training degree to animal surgery (DU), Marseille, Mediterranean University

2001: Training degree to animal experimentation, (DU, level 1), Paris 5 University

2000: PhD in Human Genetics, Paris 5 University

1997: DEA of Molecular Genetics in Developmental disorders & Oncogenesis, Paris 5 University

   Magistère de Biology-Biochemistry, École Normale Supérieure (Ulm, Paris)

1996: Master of de Molecular and Cellular Genetics, École Normale Supérieure et Paris 6 University

Teaching                                                                                                                          

2021-today: L3: PIR "Genetics UEG1" – hiPSC & brain organoids to model microcephaly", Paris Cité University

2017-today: Masters PIR "Basics in Neuroscience: hiPSC & organoids", Paris Cité University

2015-2020: L3 SIAS Paris 7 "Input of Molecular Genetics in rare disorders in medical research”, Paris 7 University

2014: European Master of Genetics (M2), Paris 5 & 7 Universities - Neurodevelopment, Prematurity and Homeostasis, DHU PROTECT) "Secretory Pathway and Genetic Microcephaly"

Boards and councils                                                                                                        

2023-2025 : Guest Editor in Front. Cell Dev. Biol., Special issue on organelle dynamics in NDDs and Neurodegenerative diseases

2021-2023 : Guest Editor in Cells, Special issue on microcephaly

2018-today : Front. Neurosci. 

2022-today: Member of the steering committee « Organoids & human cells » of the DIM C-Brains, a field of major innovation and research supported by the Ile-de-France (project web site : https://dim-cbrains.fr/fr/axes-projects/project1)

2021-today: Member of the national CNRS Research group on Organoids (GDR Organoïdes)

2019-today: Member of the executive committee of NeuroDiderot

2019-today: Member of the laboratory committee of NeuroDiderot

2013-2021: Member of the scientific council of Denis Diderot Medical School (UFR de médecine), Paris

2017-today: Scientific director of the Neurodiderot Organoid core facility (web: https://neurodiderot.u-paris.fr/en/humbo/)

Scientific summary

My research interests focus on understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to the development of microcephaly in humans. To explore these mechanisms, I develop mouse and cell models (hiPS and brain organoids in particular) to mimic congenital and postnatal microcephaly caused by genetic or environmental factors. 

My work has contributed to the emergence of common pathophysiological mechanisms for primary congenital microcephaly (MCPH) on the one hand, and for congenital or postnatal microcephaly associated with defects in the Golgi apparatus on the other (Golgipathies). In the first case, the function of many MCPH genes (ASPM, CDK5RAP2, STIL, WDR62, etc.) targets the dynamics of the centrosome and microtubules during mitotic division of neural progenitors. In the second case, my studies on DMC syndrome and the recent involvement of numerous Golgi genes (ARCN1, VPS51) in syndromic microcephaly have revealed a role for the Golgi apparatus and its secretory functions in postnatal brain growth.

This work has led me to study the dynamics and interactions between essential organelles in the cell, such as the centrosome, the Golgi apparatus, the endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria.