Research Focus
In my group at the Institut de Myologie, we investigate the fundamental cellular and mechanical principles governing skeletal muscle differentiation, intracellular organization, and tissue repair.
Proper spatial organization is vital for muscle cell function, relying on the coordinated action of actin, microtubule, and intermediate filament networks. Our research centers on two interconnected axes: nuclear mechanobiology and 3D bioengineered muscle models.
Nuclear Envelope Mechanics & Nuclear Positioning
Muscle fibers are unique syncytial cells containing hundreds of nuclei, which must be precisely spaced just beneath the plasma membrane to ensure proper long-term function. Defects in this architecture are classic hallmarks of several congenital myopathies and muscular dystrophies.
Nuclear Movements: During differentiation, myonuclei undergo distinct, successive movements—namely centration, spreading, and dispersion.
Microtubule Remodeling: The early centration and spreading phases are microtubule-dependent. We study how skeletal muscle transitions from centrosome-based nucleation to a nuclear-centric microtubule organization. Notably, we discovered that a muscle-specific isoform of Nesprin-1 localizes to the nuclear envelope, recruiting AKAP450 and microtubule-nucleation factors directly to the nucleus.
Dispersion & Contraction: The final nuclear dispersion phase relies heavily on developing myofibrillar contraction and dynamic nuclear envelope modifications.
3D Bioengineered Muscle Models & Regenerative Medicine
Assessing functional recovery, disease phenotypes, or therapeutic efficacy requires reliable physiological readouts—yet traditional animal models can be costly, complex, and ethically constrained.
To bridge this gap, we develop advanced in vitro muscle organoids and micro-fabricated platforms:
Functional Micro-Tissues: We culture single- or multi-cellular muscle constructs suspended between deformable silicon pillars. This allows us to directly measure and visualize physiological myofiber contractions in real time.
Tissue Engineering for Repair: Because skeletal muscle has limited regenerative capacity following severe trauma, volumetric muscle loss, or degenerative disease, we are actively engineering functional muscle grafts designed for future clinical replacement.
Advanced Bioimage Analysis & Methodology
To quantify complex cellular dynamics—ranging from 3D nuclear tracking and orientation mapping to multi-scale tissue organization—we also develop custom image analysis pipelines. Integrating advanced microscopy modalities with Python- and Fiji/ImageJ-based automation allows us to push the boundaries of quantitative muscle cell biology from the molecular scale up to whole 3D tissues.
Check the Muscle Atlas
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| Muscle Cells | Image acquisition and analysis |
|---|---|
| Extraction | Live imaging |
| Culture | Analysis |
| Differentiation | Tools |
