Using innovative methods and approaches to the biology of pancreatic beta cells and of intercellular junctions (e.g. I produced all beta cell-specific connexin transgenics), I am recognized as the world leader in the 1) role of connexin channels in secretory systems (I was the first to provide direct experimental evidence for this role in several endocrine and exocrine systems, and to show the in vivo relevance of this control), 2) direct communications between pancreatic beta cells (I was the first to identify the coupling of these cells, to define the protein involved and to show its role in the physiological control of insulin secretion and in beta cell apoptosis in diabetic models). Leader of a research group of 5 post-doc, 4 graduate students, 4 technicians Funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, the European Union, the NIH, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and several local societies 210 papers in PubMed + chapters (IF of last 5 years = 250; H index = 43) Regularly invited to lecture at international meetings and to write focal reviews Recipient of the Milano Diabetes Prize and the Cloëtta Award Member of the Medical Review Science Committee of the JDRF (USA) and Fondation St Luc (Belgium) Member of 4 international and one local science societies Member of editorial boards of Eur J Physiol, The Open Diabetes Journal, Metabolic and Functional Research on Diabetes and Diabetologia Ad hoc reviewer of grants for the EU, the SNSF, the JDRF and of international journals (J Clin Invest, PNAS, Diabetes, Diabetologia, …) Chair of the Departments of Morphology (2001-2003) and of Cell Physiology and Metabolism (2003-2007) of the University of Geneva Director phenotyping animal facility of the University of Geneva

Research activities

1. biology of connexins and claudins: genetic, molecular, cell biological, physiological and biophysical characterization of these membrane proteins in various cell systems, in vitro and in vivo
2. role of intercellular communications in the function of insulin-producing cells: genetic, molecular, cell biological, physiological and biophysical characterization of Cx36 and claudins in a) the secretory function of pancreatic beta cells, b) the adaptation of these cells to increased metabolic demand (pregnancy), c) their characterization in type 2 diabetes, d) their influence on beta cell survival in models of type 1 diabetes, d) the identification of drugs targeting Cx36
3. non invasive imaging of pancreatic islets: development of innovative tracers and methods for optical and MRI imaging for the quantitative evaluation of beta cell mass and function in living laboratory rodents; adaptation of these new developments for the future clinical imaging of human pancreatic islets in situ.

Education

European School, Brussels, Belgium – Science Baccalaureate – 1968
University of Louvain, Louvain, Belgium – MD – 1975
University of Louvain, Louvain, Belgium – Medical Sciences – 1976

Positions and honours

2002-2007 Chairman Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, Medical School, Geneva, CH
1998- Professor, Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, Medical School, Geneva, CH
1993- Max Cloëtta Award
1989-1998 Associate Professor, Dpt of Morphology, University of Geneva, Medical School, Geneva, CH
1983-1989 Assistant Professor, Institute of Histology, University of Geneva, Medical School, Geneva, CH
1981-1983 Research Associate, Dpt of Anatomy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
1981 The Milano Diabetes Prize
1977-1981 Assistant, Institute of Histology, University of Geneva, Medical School, Geneva, CH

Current funding

Cx36 in the normal and altered function of pancreatic beta cells; Swiss National Science Foundation; total award: 537,000 CHF; funding dates: 01.10.2008 to 30.09.2011; Meda: PI; percent of time devoted : 30%.
Tight junction proteins: role in the islet attack by lymphocytes Source: Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International; total award: 495,000 US $; funding dates: 01.03.2007 to 28.02.2010; Meda: PI; percent of time devoted: 20%.
VECTOR: Versatile Endoscopic Capsule for gastrointestinal Tumor Recognition and Therapy Source: European Union; total award: 60,000 US $; funding dates: 10.01.2007 to 28.02.2009; Meda: investigator; percent of time devoted: 5%.
BETA IMAGE: Use of innovative strategies for beta cell imaging in diabetes mellitus. European Union, total award: 621,458 €; funding dates: 01.11.2008 to 30.10.2012; Meda: investigator; percent of time devoted: 15%.

Professional memberships and editorships

European Association for the Study of Diabetes
American Society for Cell Biology
Société Académique de Genève
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Research International
Union des Sociétés Suisses de Biologie Expérimentale (USGEB)
Editorial board : European Journal of Physiology, Open Endocrinology Journal, Diabetologia

2009 team

Mr José Cancela, technician
Mrs Dorothée Caille-Rigo, technician
Miss A. Charollais, technician
Mrs Jacqueline Lyauthey, technician
Mr Olivier Bremer, technical student
Mrs Sabine Bavamian, PhD candidate
Mr Daniel Martins, PhD candidate
Dr. Aurore Britan, post-doctoral assistant
Dr. Smaragda Lamprianou, post-doctoral assistant
Dr. Laurent Vinet, post-doctoral assistant
Dr. Helena Pontes, post-doctoral assistant
Dr. A. Fort, post-doctoral maître-assistant

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