IMM – Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée

The labs

The Mediterranean Institute of Microbiology (IMM) is a research federation (FR3479, CNRS & Aix-Marseille University), located mainly on the Joseph Aiguier CNRS campus and on the Luminy campus.

Key Figures

The IMM is directed by Marie-Thérèse Giudici-Orticoni, assisted by Robert Rousic, and is composed of 4 laboratories:

The IMM runs 14 common services and technological/research platforms.

Research

Together this constitutes a force of 300 people, including 180 statutory staff (CNRS researchers, AMU professors and assistant-professors, engineers and technicians) internationally recognized for their interdisciplinary research on microorganisms at scales ranging from molecules to ecosystems, with potential applications linked to major challenges faced by society. This research is closely associated with training in microbiology. 40 professors and assistant-professors are attached to the IMM, most of whom are responsible for the Microbiology, Genomics, Bioinformatics and Structural Biology courses taught at Aix-Marseille University. Our structure is also highly dynamic with 50 PhD students, 40 Master’s students and a considerable number of post-doctoral researchers and foreign visitors.

The IMM is a multidisciplinary research cluster with high national and international visibility, where multiple aspects of modern, integrative, multi-scale and applied fundamental microbiology are carried out. The speciality of the IMM is that in addition to the “traditional” model microorganisms (E. coli, B. subtilis), a diverse array of other experimental systems are are used, including major pathogens (Mycobacterium, Legionella, Acinetobacter, Burkholderia, Campylobacter, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, etc.), opportunistic pathogens (Pseudomonas, amoebae), and extremophilic bacteria (Aquifex, Acidithiobacillus, Deinococcus, etc.). We are also at the forefront of research into the giant viruses (Mega-viruses, Mimiviruses, Chloroviruses). The federation of our laboratories in the IMM concentrates a critical mass of scientific and technical skills (biophysics, genomics, bioinformatics, molecular biology, biochemistry, cell culture, protein expression and purification, structural biology, etc.) from which each laboratory can benefit.

Our teams work in synergy with the laboratories located in the research campus of Luminy, Cadarache, Saint-Jérôme and Château Gombert, and in partnership with local technology accelerators (SATT Sud Est) and competitiveness hubs (Capernergies, Pole Mer, Eurobiomed). Our laboratories are also involved in collaborative research programs with the industrial world and biotechnological companies in particular on the themes of new energies (biogas, H2, biopile, biomass degradation), the environment (bioremediation, biosurfactants…) and health (resistance to antibiotics, cancer…).

Facilities

The IMM has promoted the development of technological platforms and shared services with a team of 21 engineers and technicians. These platforms have obtained different regional and national quality labels: IBISA and Plateforme Technologique Aix-Marseille. They are also part of national and European networks.

Our platforms offer the latest equipment in light microscopy (OMX SIM), electron microscopy (Gatan 4Kx4K camera), EPR (X and W bands, HYSCORE, ENDOR), bioinformatics (IBiSA label and French Institute of Bioinformatics), genomics (Illumina MiSeq sequencer, Polaris), protein production and quality analysis, microbial biomass production, proteomics (MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer and LC-MS/MS), NMR (600 MHz cryoprobe), computing and networking, mechanics and electronics, maintenance and logistics, management and administration. Several P2 laboratories allow the study of microorganisms of clinical interest, or new environmental isolates.

The IMM federation is supported by the ERDF, the Regional Council, the Departmental Council of the Bouches du Rhône, the DRRT, the CNRS, Aix-Marseille University and the AM*idex foundation. The IMM has also benefited from exceptional financing by the CNRS for laboratory renovation and extension for 10,000m2 on the Joseph Aiguier campus, which will enable the IGS laboratory to move to new premises.