Multidisciplinary basic research

Understanding the living world in all its complexity

Our microbiologists, immunologists, geneticists, biologists, neuroscientists, epidemiologists, modelers and artificial intelligence specialists collaborate closely on an equal footing in our 143 research entities (as at January 1, 2026). These specialists work side by side, coordinating and combining their expertise to investigate over 50 diseases and understand the living world at all scales – from gene to cell and tissue to organ up to whole populations – in order to develop real-world medical solutions.

Our teams share the same physical spaces, encouraging the emergence of novel ideas, unexpected collaborations and scientific breakthroughs that would not be possible if each discipline worked in isolation.

The Institut Pasteur's main research areas are:

Infectious diseases:

Investigating viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi responsible for multiple human diseases. Scientists study their mechanisms of infection, evolution and transmission routes, and develop strategies to tackle them.
 

Immunology:

Understanding how the immune system protects the body against infections, keeps the body in balance, and can become deregulated, contributing to certain diseases, with the specific aim of developing novel therapeutic approaches.

Genetics and molecular and cellular biology: 

Investigating the fundamental mechanisms of living organisms, from gene expression to interactions between molecules and cells, with a view to better understanding how organisms work.

The microbiota and its interactions:
Analyzing the role of microbial communities living in and on the human body and their influence on immunity, metabolism and some diseases.

Stem cells and developmental biology: 
Investigating organ formation, development and regeneration to better understand human physiology, certain rare diseases, aging mechanisms and repair processes.

Non-communicable diseases:
Researching the biological mechanisms involved in medical conditions such as cancer, inflammatory diseases, allergies and autoimmune diseases.

Neuroscience and neurodegenerative diseases: 
Investigating brain and nervous system function and mechanisms involved in conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and certain psychiatric disorders.

Evolution, population genetics and paleogenomics: 
Analyzing the evolution of microbes and human populations over time, particularly through the investigation of ancient DNA, to better understand the history of diseases, outbreaks, human immunity and pathogen emergence.

Computational biology and modeling: 
Using algorithms and artificial intelligence tools to analyze vast reams of biological data, model living systems, and better understand disease dynamics.

Epidemiology and population health: 
Investigating disease spread in populations to plan for outbreaks, understand risk factors and inform public health policy.

A multidisciplinary approach part of a legacy dating back over 130 years

This multidisciplinary culture goes back to the earliest days of our institute. A chemist by training, Louis Pasteur showed no hesitation in exploring way beyond the bounds of his own discipline to tackle the major issues of his time.

With research ranging from wine and beer fermentation to silkworm and cattle diseases, he laid the foundations of modern hygiene, invented pasteurization, and developed a rational, microbiology-based approach to vaccination with his rabies vaccine. By encouraging collaboration between physicians, veterinarians, industrialists and farmers, Louis Pasteur pioneered a truly cross-cutting brand of science for the benefit of animal health, human health and, ultimately, society as a whole.

Interdisciplinary cooperation aimed at improving understanding of the living world is a hallmark of research at the Institut Pasteur. 

This collaboration between disciplines has led to some major modern discoveries including the identification of HIV, which involved virologists, immunologists and clinicians, and research on links between the microbiota and mental health, conducted by microbiologists, neuroscientists and immunologists. 
This approach, central to our Pasteur 2030 Strategic Plan, makes more sense now than ever before in our quest to meet modern health challenges.

Specialists from all backgrounds harnessing a wide range of expertise to improve care

This multidisciplinary approach does not end at the gates of the Paris campus. The Institut Pasteur draws on a vast network of scientific partnerships both in France and worldwide, boosting synergy between different areas of expertise and disciplines.

The Pasteur Network, an alliance of over 30 institutes operating in 25 countries on five continents. 

The Pasteur Network is an international community of scientists with access to unique global infrastructure including over 50 national and regional reference laboratories and 17 WHO Collaborating Centers. Its mission is to conduct research locally in areas of disease emergence, boost epidemiological surveillance, and promptly share scientific knowledge.

Not forgetting... our outstanding scientific partnerships in France where unity leads to innovation

We maintain special ties with prestigious French universities, hospitals and research institutions:

•    The CNRS and Inserm: framework agreements are in place for around twenty joint research units allowing multidisciplinary teams to collaborate on a daily basis and pool their expertise.
•    Université Paris Cité: providing a natural continuum between basic research, clinical research and training, with recognized expertise in the field of infectious diseases.
•    The Paris Public Hospital Network (AP-HP): this partnership plays a pivotal role in clinical research, turning scientific breakthroughs into real-world therapeutic solutions for patients, particularly through the University Hospital Institutes (IHUs). 
•    Other major universities and research organizations make their own special contributions to this ecosystem: Sorbonne University, Université Paris-Saclay, École Polytechnique, CNAM, INRAE, Inria, the Institut Curie, the Imagine Institute and IRD.