CV Science

Catherine Robbe Masselot Catherine Robbe Masselot, PhD Biology in Health and Diseases

Course and current status

More than 25 international peer publications (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Robbe Masselot C; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Robbe+C)

Project leader since 2006

Assistant Professor Université Lille1 since 2006                                                                   Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle; UMR 8576, CNRS/USTL; Bâtiment C9, Cité Scientifique; 59655 Villeneuve d’Ascq

• Certified for research on animals-level I
• Appointed member of CNU (University National Council) Committee Section 64
• Qualification to professorship (CNU 64-Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, 2015)
• Management of logistics and budget
• Daily management of a research team, including Ph.D. (biologists, biochemists) and students
• Management of scientific research and academic education of undergraduate students
• Acquisition of funding, via government, industry, and independent foundations (French & international)
• Academic education of undergraduate students (Licence, Master, Mastere)

Education/training

2012 Accreditation to supervise PhD students (HDR), Université Lille1 

2003 Thèse de doctorat (PhD), Université Lille1, in Biochemistry 

2000 Master (DEA "Sciences de la Vie et de la Santé), Université Lille1

Research Experience/Academic Appointments

Since 2006     Maître de Conférences (assistant professor) at Université Lille 1

2005-2006     Attachée temporaire d’enseignement et de recherche, Université Lille 1

2004-2005    "Postdoctoral position", Bristol Royal Infirmary, University of Bristol, UK

Research interests

Structural characterization of human mucin O-glycans implicated in bacterial adhesion (Helicobacter pylori, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella flexneri…).

Study of the molecular dialogue between host and pathogens.

Identification of glycomimetics inhibiting carbohydrate-bacterial lectin interactions.

Modification of expression and glycosylation of mucins in colorectal cancer. Development of early diagnostic and prognostic mucin markers for colorectal cancer.

Scientific summary

The mucosal surface is the primary interface between internal host tissues and the vast microbiota. Mucins, key components of mucus, are high molecular weight glycoproteins characterized by many O-linked oligosaccharides to the core polypeptide. They play many biological functions, helping to maintain cellular homeostasis and to establish symbiotic relationships with complex microbiota.

Alteration of mucin production and glycosylation occurs in numerous diseases such as IBD, cystic fibrosis, cancer or infectious diseases. What are the mechanisms explaining deregulation of mucin expression and glycosylation? What are the new functions played by these modified molecules? Do these alterations (neoexpressed mucins or O-glycans) have a diagnostic, prognostic or therapeutic value for the treatment of pathologies? These questions still remain unclear and are the basis of my research work.

My current research is also focused  on a better comprehension of the molecular dialogue established between the host and commensal microbiota, pathogens and exogenous bacteria like probiotics. I try to elucidate mechanisms by which host cells or bacteria deregulate mucin biosynthesis in response to a bacterial colonization or infection. These studies should help better understand etiology of pathologies both correlated with a dysbiosis and structural modification of mucins.