Biology of Cell Interactions

The research of the unit is focused on the mechanisms of entry and intracellular fate of some key receptors of the immune system and of intracellular bacteria, the Chlamydia. These bacteria are strict intracellular pathogens. Endocytosis allows cells to internalize biological macromolecules, particles and even intracellular microbes. We study the endocytic properties of cytokine receptors, that are essential for the immune response. These cytokine receptors follow a novel endocytic pathway, that we have initially discovered and that we study. 
Depending on the strain, chlamydiae are the causative agents of sexually transmitted diseases, pulmonary infections and eye infections, and they may also be involved in atherosclerosis. They multiply only within a host cell. We study their interactions with the host, in particular through the secretion of proteins into the host cell cytosol.