will take place on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 from 17:15 to 18:15 hours in CBBM Building, EG, Room B1/B2.
Host: Prof. Dr. Markus Schwaninger
Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology
University of Lübeck
Abstract
Drug delivery to the brain is hindered by the presence of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). To accomplish nutrient transport, the brain endothelium is endowed with various transport systems, including receptor-mediated transport / transcytosis (RMT). This system can be used to shuttle therapeutics into the brain in a non-invasive manner. We have set up a platform to identify peptide-based ligands that target specific receptors and that can be optimised as vector molecules to transport drugs or imaging agents across the BBB. In particular, members of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) family appear relevant to deliver drugs into cells and organs and we have developed peptide-vectors that target the human LDLR.
Biosketch
Michel Khrestchatisky is Research Director (DR1) at the CNRS. He earned his PhD in cellular and molecular biology in Marseille, followed by 4 years of research at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA, USA) with a focus in neurobiology and cloning of GABAA receptors and later on 10 years as group leader at INSERM, Paris working on glutamate receptors, neuronal degeneration and inflammation. He has been Director during the last 15 years of the NICN-UMR7259 neurobiology laboratory in Marseille supported by the CNRS and Aix-Marseille University, and leader of the BBB and Neuroinflammation group. He published close to 120 peer-reviewed articles in international scientific journals and a dozen book chapters. He is co-inventor in 9 families of patents with more than 30 patents delivered worldwide and patent applications pending. He is Co-founder and scientific counsel of the Vect-horus biotechnology company established in Marseille, France.
