CV Science

Michèle T Martin PhD Cell biology and radiobiology, stem cells, human skin, cancer

Course and current status

CEA, Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission

.  MT Martin, Head of the Laboratory of Genomics and Radiobiology of Keratinopoïesis, Evry Genopole; CEA Research Director; CEA senior expert; Counsellor of CEA Haut-Commissaire, Dr. C Césarsky

LGRK, 2 rue G Crémieux 91057 Evry; 01 60 87 34 91

. Institute : Life Sciences Division, Head : Dr. G Bloch, 18, route du Panorama, Fontenay aux Roses F-92265 BP n°6

. Department : Institute of Molecular and Cellular Radiobiology, Head : Dr. P-H Roméo

Scientific summary

Main topics : stem cells, human skin, radiobiology, skin cancer

Human interfollicular epidermis is the multilayered epithelium that covers the human skin. This tissue is in perpetual renewal, a process named keratinopoiesis which is maintained through stem cells and their ability to self-renew. Although potentialities of human epidermal stem cells have been exploited for clinical purposes for more than 20 years, they are still poorly known. Keratinocyte stem cells are located in the basal layer of epidermis. They are defined as undifferentiated and quiescent cells, capable of a large proliferative potential when stimulated. Their direct progeny, called keratinocyte progenitors, are responsible for the short-term maintenance of epidermis. These keratinocyte progenitors divide in the basal compartment and then migrate to upper layers of epidermis to give rise to the differentiated cells. The current project of our group aims at better characterizing these two basal cell populations, both in normal skin homeostasis and after genotoxic stress. Our group dissects the determinants of stemness and self-renewal in keratinocyte stem cells, notably those related to the TGF-b1 network. We also aim at understanding the mechanisms that maintain genomic stability in the basal keratinocytes, which are the major target of skin carcinogenesis after ionizing or UV radiation.