CV Science

Francois Rouyer PhD, Genetics

Course and current status

1985 - 1990 : PhD Thesis: « Genetic exchanges between human X and Y chromosomes». University Pierre & Marie Curie, Paris. Supervisor: J. Weissenbach. Institut Pasteur, INSERM U163, Paris, France.

1988 - 2002: Research associate INSERM

1991 - 1994 : Postdoc (Molecular genetics of circadian rhythms in Drosophila). Supervisor: M. Rosbash, Howard Hugues Medical Institute, Brandeis University, Dpt. of Biology, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA

1996– present: Group leader (Molecular genetics of circadian rhythms in Drosophila) Institut de Neurobiologie Alfred Fessard, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CNRS UPR 3294, Gif-sur-Yvette, France

2003 – present: Research Director INSERM

Scientific summary

Our group aims at understanding the cellular and molecular bases of circadian clocks. Our work focuses on the brain clock that controls Drosophila sleep-wake rhythms.

Current projects in the lab:

- The neuronal bases of the control of sleep-wake rhythms by the brain and the synchronization of morning and evening oscillators by day-night cycles. A particular attention is given to the function of the PDF neuropeptide in the clock neuronal network, and to the role of cryptochrome and the visual system in the light-driven entrainment of the clock.

- The molecular bases of the circadian oscillator. We are particularly interested in the post-translational control of the clock proteins Clock, Period and Timeless through phosphorylation and ubiquitination, which have a major role in defining the 24h period of the oscillator.

- Circadian neuronal network setting up and differentiation of clock neurons during brain development.