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Fundamental Research Division
The DRF at the CEA assemble approximately 6,000 scientists since January 2016.
Improving neuron production in elderly persons presenting with a decline in cognition is a major challenge facing an ageing society and the emergence of neuro-degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. INSERM and CEA researchers recently showed that the pharmacological blocking of the TGFβ molecule improves the production of new neurons in the mouse model.
The drawback to current optical imaging markers is their short life. Researchers are now developing fluorescent nanocrystals (quantum dots) to supplant these markers. A team from the CEA-iBiTec-S, in collaboration with the CEA-I2BM and ESPCI, has developed a new surface chemistry for these particularly effective nanoparticles.
French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault announced the signature of an agreement for a collaboration between the CEA’s Department of Life Sciences and Canada’s National Research Council (NRC). This partnership aims to explore the potential in using gas and industrial wastes for the production of microalgae.
Bacteria contain astonishing enzymes that could inspire scientists in the fabrication of fuel cells. Such is the case for researchers from the IBS, who have just determined the crystallographic structure and mechanism of action for an enzyme from Escherichia coli.
The immature brain of a premature infant is capable, at the age of three months pre-term, of distinguishing syllables uttered by male and female voices. These results obtained by INSERM researchers at the University of Picardy Jules Verne and the CEA’s NeuroSpin Imaging Centre highlight the very early sophisticated organisation of the regions of the brain involved in language-processing and social communication in humans.
Researchers at the CEA, CNRS and Université Paris-Sud have presented the first model of the architecture of the MLH1 protein associated with Lynch syndrome, a genetic predisposition to colorectal cancer. This atomic level “image” of MLH1 will lead to better understanding of the genetic processes that cause the disease.
A new, highly radiotolerant microalga species has just been isolated from a cooling pool for spent nuclear fuel. After analyzing the properties of this unique species, researchers now foresee new strategies for bioremediation.
The miniaturization of electronic components is now reaching its physical limitations. Even if space can be saved by using a three-dimensional assembly solution, manufacturing electrical connections for these new devices is still a technological challenge. A team of biologists and physicists has now devised a system of self-assembled connections, thanks to actin filaments .
Federating more than 80 European and international research institutions, the Human Brain Project was selected by the European Commission as one of its two FET Flagship projects on January 28th.
The Unité Mixte de Service (mixed research institute) UMS 3518 (CNRS-CEA-UJF-EMBL) was created on January 1st 2013, in Grenoble. This new unit brings together facilities from the IBS and UVHCI, and represents an impressive collection of state-of-the-art equipment for integrated structural biology.
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CEA is a French government-funded technological research organisation in four main areas: low-carbon energies, defense and security, information technologies and health technologies. A prominent player in the European Research Area, it is involved in setting up collaborative projects with many partners around the world.