iSm2 – Institut des Sciences Moléculaires de Marseille – BiosCiences

Key Figures

• BiosCiences team of iSm2
• 28 Researchers
• 6 Engineers/Technicians
• 3 Postdoctoral fellows
• 18 Doctoral students

Research

BiosCiences (iSm2, UM7313) is active in the field of Molecular Chemistry with a deep interest in chirality, catalysis, supramolecular assemblies, models, synthesis and chemical biology. Implementing “Green Chemistry” principles constitutes one of the main objectives of the team.

In BiosCiences, we are particularly interested in the architecture-function relationships and interaction dynamics between proteins and their effectors (proteins, inhibitors, substrates…). Our objective is to gain a better understanding of the specificity and mechanisms underlying their mode of action.

Our approach is multidisciplinary, encompassing organic, inorganic and quantum chemistry, biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, microbiology and advanced NMR spectroscopy. We carry out research across four main research topics: (i) Antimicrobial peptides; (ii) Metal active sites in biology and synthetic analogues, (iii) Integrated Biocatalytic Systems for Sustainable Chemistry and (iv) Methodology and Applications for NMR analysis of mixtures of small molecules of biological and biotechnological interest. Within these four topics, several research projects are pursued. Beyond purely fundamental aspects in our research, the enzymes we produce are a source of biocatalysts for fine chemistry (bioconversion/biocatalysis, green chemistry and white biotechnology) as well as a source of inspiration for the synthesis of catalysts capable of reproducing the enzymatic reaction (biomimetic /bioinspired catalysis).

Teaching

In addition to its research activities, BiosCiences is strongly involved in teaching and training in Chemistry and Biology within Aix Marseille Université. Along with the training of PhD students, BiosCiences ensures the supervision of about fifteen trainees per year (BTS, Engineering School, Bachelor, Master). The laboratory is also involved in social outreach and participates in various events to popularize science (science festival, presentation in schools and high schools, etc).