CV Science

Stephane Oliet PhD Neurosciences

Course and current status

1990-1994, PhD, McGill University

1994-1996, Post-doctoral Fellow, Dept. of Cellular & Molecular Pharmacology, UCSF

1997-2004, CNRS Research Associate

2004-2006, CNRS Research Director

2007-present, Group leader, Neurocentre Magendie, Bordeaux

2009-present, Deputy Director, Neurocentre Magendie, Bordeaux

2012-present, President of Inserm Study Section for Neuroscience (CSS6)

2013, Member of Academia Eurpaea

Scientific summary

we are investigating glia-neuron interactions at different levels of integration to better understand their role in health and disease. More particularly, by taking advantage of the hypothalamic glial anatomical plasticity, we investigate cellular interactions between glia and both neurons and endothelial cells to establish their impact blood brain barrier permeability and to analyze the dynamics and the molecular mechanisms underlying these anatomical plastic changes. To assess the contribution of glia to synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity, we examine the regulation of NMDA and kainate receptors in the hippocampus and the hypothalamus, respectively. The impact of glia-neuron interactions in brain functions is studied in physiological and pathological processes in which a role for glia has been documented or strongly suggested, like learning and memory, neurodegeneration and cancer pain. For learning and memory, we study the impact of astrocytes in hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Cancer pain is a pathology associated with astrocytic hypertrophy and which is sensitive to glial metabolic inhibitors. We are presently determining the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in glial activation and the associated allodynia and hyperalgesia. By focusing on specific brain functions and pathologies, we hope to demonstrate unambiguously the paramount importance of glia-neuron interactions for health and disease.