- Dr Jean Paul Thiery, from the Institut Curie, France has joined A*STAR’s Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) in October 2006. Dr Thiery, Director of the Department of Translational Research at Institut Curie, is also a well known developmental and cancer biologist. He is an expert on cell adhesion and migration studies and is accredited as one of the co-discoverers of N-CAM, the founder of a superfamily of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs).
- “We are truly delighted to welcome Jean-Paul to IMCB and to Singapore. His outstanding reputation and enthusiasm for developmental and cancer biology will complement our efforts in basic and translational medical research. Jean-Paul also has great enthusiasm for technology developments, building and adapting his own advanced instrumentation which will help to foster links between Singapore’s biomedical sciences and establish engineering and design expertise,” said Professor Sir David Lane, Executive Director IMCB.
- Dr Thiery’s research on CAM superfamilies also includes Cadherins molecules. These are found on cell surfaces to ensure their organization within tissues. His landmark work on N-CAM and E-cadherin, the prototypic epithelial adhesion molecule, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA in 1983, was instrumental in laying the foundations of an understanding of morphogenesis and histogenesis.
- CAMs are important molecules during early development as the presence of similar molecules causes cells to cluster together. In this way, cells are pointed to the correct place for differentiation to their respective tissues and organs. Recent studies have shown that changes in the adhesive status have implications in the dissemination of cancer cells throughout the body. Dr Thiery’s work has contributed extensively to understand this process of dissemination, also called metastasis.
- “Singapore offers a unique opportunity to develop multidisciplinary approaches to address major issues in contemporary medicine. The scientific community of Singapore is now in a position to face major challenges at the forefront of basic and applied research. It is extremely exciting to contribute to this nation’s effort for the benefit of mankind,” said Dr Thiery.
- Dr Beh Swan Gin, Executive Director of A*STAR’s Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) said, “It is our pleasure to welcome Jean-Paul’s scientific expertise, experience and commitment to boost the scientific community and the biomedical sciences efforts here at A*STAR. We look forward to his contributions to advance the cancer research capabilities in Singapore.”
- Dr Thiery has served on editorial boards of many prestigious journals including the EMBO journal, Journal of Cell Biology. He is currently serving in the editorial board of Current Opinion in Cell Biology. He is a member in the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), Academia Europea and the American Association for Cancer Research.
- Dr Thiery’s appointment in IMCB as Principal Investigator, is the latest in a series of prominent international researchers who have joined IMCB this year. These include famous cancer geneticists Drs. Neal and Nancy Copeland of the “Sleeping Beauty” transposon fame and Dr. Philip Ingham, an expert on the Hedgehog signaling pathway.
Notes to editor
Cadherin Database:
http://calcium.uhnres.utoronto.ca/cadherin/pub_pages/general/intro_cadherins.htm
About the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB)
http://www.imcb.a-star.edu.sg
The Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) is a member of Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and is funded through A*STAR’s Biomedical Research Council (BMRC). It is a world-class research institute in biomedical sciences with core strengths in cell cycle, cell signalling, cell death, cell motility, protein trafficking, developmental biology, structural biology, genomics and infectious diseases. Its recent achievements include leading an international consortium that successfully sequenced the entire pufferfish (Fugu) genome. The IMCB was awarded the Nikkei Prize 2000 for Technological Innovation in recognition of its growth into a leading international research centre and its collaboration with industry and research institutes worldwide. Established in 1987, the Institute currently has 38 independent research groups with more than 400 staff members.
About the Biopolis
The Biopolis offers world-class research facilities in a plug-and-play environment that caters to the full spectrum of R&D activities and graduate training. The state-of-the-art infrastructure offered to both public and private laboratories co-located within the campus includes shared scientific resources and services, ranging from basic lab supplies to specialized services such as DNA sequencing, advanced microscopy facilities and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance). Biopolis is currently home to almost 40 biomedical science related companies and research institutes. It is the research base of distinguished scientists from all over the world.
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