5. Exploitation of novel microbial bioactive compounds

Through our collaboration with Laboratoires Pierre Fabre, we screen microorganisms in our microbial culture collection for the genetic potential and the production of cytotoxic and antimicrobial agents. Our goal is to find novel natural products with potential use in oncology and in the control of bacterial skin pathologies such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis or acne. While these activities are primarily of an applied nature, basic research aspects are also promoted by
1) characterization of diversity of understudied aquatic ecosystems the ultimate sources of our bacterial strains,
2) the development of novel gene-based screening approaches,
3) the understanding of the factors leading to the actual production of secondary metabolites.