Description du sujet de thèse

Global warming is revealing new environmental threats, including the emergence of aquatic toxins produced by various marine microorganisms, previously rare in European fresh and salt waters. In this context, how cells, tissues, and organisms react to these toxins and their pathophysiological consequences on human health are key questions. We address these issues here based on recent observations by our colleagues at IFREMER, who have revealed a massive presence of certain marine toxins in certain areas of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. More specifically, the presence of ovatoxins produced by the seaweed Ostreopsis, portimin produced by the dinoflagellate V. rugosum, and dinophysistoxins produced by the seaweed Dinophysis on these coasts has already led to the appearance of serious inflammatory, respiratory, allergic/asthmatic, and dermatological symptoms, resulting not only in the hospitalization of those affected but also in the closure of beaches and certain shellfish farming sites essential to economic life in the Mediterranean.
In this context, the DETECT project aims to determine 1/ the immune mechanisms by which our bodies respond pathologically to the increasing presence of these toxins in our environment, 2/ to identify new effective pharmacological targets for the treatment of pathologies induced by these toxins, and 3/ to provide a better understanding of the processes that lead to the establishment on European coasts of previously absent marine organisms. Thus, all the data generated in this project will help support public policies in order to organize the framework of future societies in response to climate change.

Contexte de travail

The project will be carried out within the "Pathogen Detection and Elimination" team under the direction of Etienne Meunier at IPBS, UM5089, Toulouse, France.
IPBS is a Joint Research Unit (UMR) of the CNRS and the University of Toulouse. Occupying 12,000 m² in the heart of the main campus of the University of Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, which offers high-level multidisciplinary training in the fields of science, health, and engineering, IPBS is part of one of the largest scientific research centers in health and biological sciences in France.

Contraintes et risques

Biosafety level 2 work