CV Science

Rodrigue Rossignol PhD in Biochemistry and Bioenergetics

Course and current status

2000: PhD Thesis on "Tissue specific expression of mitochondrial respiratory deficiencies in mitochondrial diseases" - University of Bordeaux INSERM U688

2000-2003: Postdoc on "Mitochondrial network morpho-bioenergetics" - University of Oregon (Rod Capaldi's lab).

2003-2010: INSERM CR2 and CR1 at INSERM U688 "Mitochondrial physiopathology"

2011-        : INSERM CR1 and member of the directing committee of "MRGM": Laboratory of Rares Diseases: Metabolics and Genetics

2010-        : Co-Chair of the International Society of Mitochondrial Physiology and Pathology (http://www.mitophysiology.org/)

2010-        : Editorial Board member of the International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (http://ees.elsevier.com/bc/)

2011-        : Section Editor "Organelles in Focus" for the International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21354514)

Scientific summary

My research are focused on the study of energy metabolism in humans, with a particular emphasis on the regulation of oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial physiology.

With the extraordinary progress of mitochondrial science and cell biology, novel biochemical pathways have emerged as strategic points of bioenergetic regulation and control. They include mitochondrial fusion, fission and organellar motility along microtubules and microfilaments (mitochondrial dynamics), mitochondrial turnover (biogenesis and degradation), and mitochondrial phospholipids synthesis. Yet, much is still unknown about the mutual interaction between mitochondrial energy state, biogenesis, dynamics and degradation. Meanwhile, clinical research into metabolic abnormalities in tumors as diverse as renal carcinoma, glioblastomas, paragangliomas or skin leiomyomata, has designated new genes, oncogenes and oncometabolites involved in the regulation of cellular and mitochondrial energy production. Furthermore, the examination of rare neurological diseases such as Charcot-Marie Tooth type 2a, Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy, Lethal Defect of Mitochondrial and Peroxisomal Fission, or Spastic Paraplegia suggested involvement of MFN2, OPA1/3, DRP1 or Paraplegin, in the auxiliary control of mitochondrial energy production.

This led me to investigate the mechanisms of mitochondrial bioenergetic and morphodynamic dysfunction in metabolic diseases as diverses as pure mitochondrial neuromuscular disorders, common neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.

In the laboratory of Rare Diseases: Metabolics and Genetics at the University of Bordeaux, I put a particular emphasis on the study of rare neurological diseases such as Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias and Mitochondrial diseases.

Dr. Rossignol is 36 yeard old and published 50 articles in the field of cellular bioenergetics. He co-chairs the International Society of Mitochondrial Physiology ( http://www.mitophysiology.org/) and is member of the directing committee of the Laboratory of Rare Diseases, Metabolics and Genetics (MRGM) at the University of Bordeaux and Bordeaux Hospital.