BIAM – Bioscience and Biotechnology Institute of Aix-Marseille
The labs
- AFMB - Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques
- BBF - Biodiversité et Biotechnologie Fongiques
- BIAM - Bioscience and Biotechnology Institute of Aix-Marseille
- BIP - Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Ingénierie des Protéines
- IGS - Laboratoire Information Génomique et Structurale
- IMM - Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée
- iSm2 - Institut des Sciences Moléculaires de Marseille - BiosCiences
- LCB - Laboratoire de Chimie bactérienne
- LISM - Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires
- MCT - Membranes et Cibles Thérapeutiques
- MIO - Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography - Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology
Key Figures
- 3 supervisory authorities: CEA/CNRS/AMU
- 9 research teams and 1 management team
- 100 permanent staff from the 3 “tutelles” and 50 fixed-term contracts, students and post-doctoral fellows spread over 2 strategic sites:
- in a 7500 m² building at the « Cité des Énergies », Saint Paul lez Durance
- 1,000 m² within the renovated Aix-Marseille University building on the Luminy campus, Marseille
- 27 ongoing projects financed by the ANR
- 6 platforms
- Numerous projects in collaboration with industrial partners (Orano, Total, Biogema)
Research
The aim of BIAM is to advance many fields of knowledge and develop biotechnological concepts including the field of bioremediation and the production of high added value molecules such as 3rd generation biofuels. To this end, the Institute’s teams study the response and adaptation mechanisms of their chosen biological models (plants, algae and bacteria) to environmental constraints. This work is supported by technical and technological platforms and state-of-the-art laboratories delivered to employees in early 2021 in the new BIAM building, built in the heart of the Cité des Énergies. Producing knowledge and developing green solutions in the field of low-carbon energy or environmental monitoring and protection are BIAM’s watchwords.
Teaching
BIAM is strongly involved in teaching and training in biochemistry, molecular biology, plant and algal physiology, biophysics and genomics. BIAM is responsible for around 1500 hours of teaching per year at AMU at the bachelor and master levels and manages the masters specialty “Environmental Biology and Biotechnology” of the Masters in Sciences and Technologies for Agriculture, Nutrition and Environment. Many PhD, masters, bachelor and BTS students are trained each year at both sites of the BIAM Institute (Cadarache and Luminy). BIAM also participates in outreach activities such as la Fete de la Science for communicating science to the public.
The laboratory is organised into 8 research teams each with their specific thematic.
The Teams
Bioenergies and microalgae (EBM) – Heads: Yonghua Li-Beisson & Fred Beisson
“Research and biotechnological applications in the field of photosynthesis, hydrogen and biodiesel production by photosynthetic micro-organisms (microalgae, cyanobacteria).”
Résumé
Laboratory of microbial ecology of the rhizosphere and extreme environments (LEMIRE) – Heads: Wafa Achouak
“To study the adaptation strategies of rhizobacteria to plants, the functional properties of soil microbial communities and how the plant influences bacterial diversity and activities”.
Research in LEMiRE is devoted to the study of the soil-plant-microbiota interactions, with particular focus on the potential role of the host-associated microbiota in mediating interactions between the host and its biotic/abiotic environment, and the molecular dialogue of plants with their associated microbiota. We are also investigating the role of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) and small regulatory RNAs in the adaptive strategies of bacteria to their host plant and environment. We explore 1800 genomes of our phytobeneficial bacteria collection with the Microscope Genoscope tool in which they are housed.The LEMiRE team has gained experience in exploiting the potential of microbial diversity for sustainable solutions in crop protection against disease and pests in the frame of projects developed with private companies.
Laboratory of interactions protein-metal (LIPM) – Heads: Catherine Berthomieu
“Understanding the consequences of bacteria exposure to radionuclides, determining the molecular determinants of the speciation of toxic species of interest in cells and at the protein level, and developing innovative strategies for biodetection and bioremediation.”
Our research objectives concern major issues in environmental nuclear toxicology: a better prediction of radionuclide (RN) transfer and toxicity, by increasing our mechanistic understanding of these processes, and new approaches for the monitoring and remediation of contaminated environments. In particular, we are interested in the role of proteins in these processes and the interactions between proteins and metals. Recently, we have extended our work to the biological role of rare earth elements (REE) in bacteria. We address these questions using a multidisciplinary approach of molecular ecology, microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry and biophysics, and large instruments or platforms dedicated to the manipulation of actinides (Atalante, CEA-Marcoule) thanks to collaborations with chemists, bioinformaticians or cell biologists. The elements of interest are REE, natural radionuclides as U, Th and their decay products, fission products (90Sr, 137Cs, minor actinides, Pu), 60Co, or new sources of pollutants potentially released during the decommissioning of nuclear facilities or in fusion reactors (tritiated particles). The biochemical and biophysical skills developed in the team are also used to explore fundamental aspects of structure-function relationships in proteins involved in catalysis or bioenergetics.
Luminy plant genetics and biophysics (LGBP) – Heads: Christophe Robaglia
“Energy signalling: from the molecular mechanisms of light capture to growth control in photosynthetic organisms.”
The LGBP team pursues a continuum of research linking photosynthesis to stress acclimation and growth control. The lab studies photosystem structure and specific mechanisms for optimizing light capture and protecting against excess light energy that evolved in the green lineage. These stress responses range from the short term, at the level of photosystems, to middle/long term responses involving nuclear gene expression and chromatin remodelling. These studies include the investigation of signalling pathways of prokaryotic and eukaryotic origin that govern nutrient use and energy signalling during stress acclimation such as the conserved Target of Rapamycin (TOR) kinase and the chloroplastic stringent response mediated by guanosine tetraphosphate. For our investigations we use a wide range of approaches in biophysics, biochemistry, and molecular genetics in model land plants (Arabidopsis, moss) and algae.
Molecular and environmental microbiology (MEM) – Heads: Damien Faivre
“Describing the molecular mechanisms involved in bacterial responses linked to the metabolism of essential metals.”
The team of Molecular and environmental microbiology is composed of three groups focusing on (i) radiotolerant bacteria, their responses to radiation and oxidative stress (head Laurence Blanchard) (ii) metal uptake and metalloproteins in bacteria (head Pascal Arnoux), and (iii) biomineralization by microorganisms (head Damien Faivre). Fundamental studies along these directions are complemented by a more applied research focusing on the development of potential applications for health and environmental biotechnologies. The team also host the biochemical platform of the BIAM.
Photosynthesis and environment (P&E) – Heads: Jean Alric
“What are the key factors of photosynthetic efficiency?”
The Photosynthesis & Environment team (P&E) is committed to fundamental research on the regulation of solar energy capture and reduction of atmospheric CO2 by plants and microalgae. We study the mechanisms of light harvesting, electron and proton transfer, CO2 capture and assimilation into carbohydrates. Our scientific approach seeks to understand how these biological processes integrate in the chloroplast and the cell, and how they control the resilience and the yield of photosynthesis. Thus, beyond the advances in molecular genetics, biochemistry, biophysics and physiology of photosynthesis, our scientific goal is to try to piece together the roles of the multiple regulators of photosynthesis in response to environmental changes. Our scientific objective is to identify and characterize the determining factors of photosynthetic efficiency in response to the environment. We aim at understanding the acclimation of photosynthesis to changing light and CO2. We also aim at developing experimental and modelling approaches to assess photosynthetic performance. Although oriented towards basic knowledge, our research topic meets potential interests in agronomy, ecology, plant breeding, bioenergy or green biotechnologies. Scientific expertise in integrated photosynthesis is required to find solutions for the mitigation of global climate change, to understand plant and ecosystem acclimation to rising CO2 and temperature and to better quantify the contributions of plants and microalgae to biogeochemical cycles.
Plant protein protection (PPV) – Heads: Pascal Rey
“Investigating the physiological roles of various protein actors in the adaptive mechanisms that plants put in place to face abiotic and biotic environmental constraints.”
Plants are permanently exposed to changing environment due to variations in abiotic parameters, or pathogen apparition. These constraints impair cell metabolism, and lead to decreased growth and yield. To limit deleterious effects, plants evolved multiple responses resulting from sensing environmental stimuli and signaling pathways. The PPV team aims to characterize the physiological roles of protein actors in the signaling and adaptive mechanisms that plants put in place to face abiotic and biotic constraints. A large part of our research is devoted to deciphering mechanisms related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and redox homeostasis, which is a major determinant for proper cell metabolism. Our work focuses particularly on the roles of lipocalins, kinases and thiol reductases in photosynthetic and guard cells, which ensure energy conversion and gas exchange, respectively. To conduct this research, we implement a multidisciplinary strategy mainly on the plant model Arabidopsis thaliana.
Plant signaling for adaptation to the environment (SAVE) – Heads: Laurent Nussaume
“Understanding the mechanisms of nutrient absorption and signaling.”
Résumé
Facilities
Proposed Trainings
