Cécile-Marie Aliouat-Denis
Professor at the University of Lille

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TRAINING

  • 2017                HDR-Habilitation to conduct research, University of Lille, France
  • 1998                PhD in life sciences and health, University of Lille, France

POSITIONS HELD

  • 2024-present  University professor (PU) in Parasitology & Medical mycology, Pharmacy Dept, UFR3S, University of Lille, France
    Molecular and Cellular Virology, Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, France
    Research project: characterization of the hepatitis E virus replicase and identification of novel HEV replication inhibitors.
    HEV group leader: Dr Laurence Cocquerel
    Team leaders: Dr Sandrine Belouzard, Dr Jean Dubuisson
     
  • 2015-2023      University lecturer (MCU) in Parasitology & Medical mycology, Pharmacy Dept, UFR3S, University of Lille, France
    Molecular and Cellular Virology, Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, France
    Research project: characterization of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) replicase.
    HEV group leader: Dr Laurence Cocquerel
    Team leader: Dr Jean Dubuisson
     
  • 2003-2014      University lecturer (MCU) in Parasitology & Medical mycology, Pharmacy Dept, UFR3S, University of Lille, France
    Biology & diversity of emerging eukaryotic pathogens, Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, France
    Research project: development cycles and transmission of Pneumocystis spp.
    Team leaders: Dr Eduardo Dei-Cas, Dr Eric Viscogliosi
     
  • 2000-2002      Principle scientist Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals, Beerse, Belgium.
    Research project: characterization of the cell cycle checkpoint kinase Chk2 and validation as therapeutical target in cancer.
    Team leader: Dr Jorge Vialard
     
  • 1998-1999      Post-doctoral researcher Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford university, United Kingdom.
    Research project: functional study of the Pcsod2 gene of Pneumocystis carinii.
    PI: Pr Ann E. Wakefield
     
  • 1994-1997      PhD student U42-Inserm, Parasite & Fungal Biology & Biochemistry, V. d’Ascq, France
    Research project: characterization of the manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase in Pneumocystis carinii.
    PI: Dr Eduardo Dei-Cas

 

EDUCATIONAL EXPERTISE

  • Human parasitology, medical mycology and virology (viral hepatitis)
  • Biodiversity and animal biology
  • Elaboration of serious games and simulation exercises to professionalize pharmacy and maieutic students

RESEARCH EXPERTISE

  • Molecular and cellular virology
  • Hepatitis E virus (HEV)
  • HEV replication mechanisms
  • Molecular and cellular medical mycology (Pneumocystis spp.)

Pr. Cécile-Marie Aliouat-Denis (Professor, University of Lille) has trained as a parasitologist and medical mycologist. In 2015, she joined the Molecular and Cellular Virology team (Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, CIIL) where her research focuses on the replication step of the hepatitis E virus.

Her doctoral research started by the characterization of the superoxide dismutase gene in the opportunistic fungal pulmonary pathogens Pneumocystis spp. In 1998, she earned her Ph.D. diploma from the University of Lille. Subsequently, she took the opportunity to strengthen her research expertise by completing two post-doctoral trainings: (i) one in academia at Oxford University (UK, 1998-1999) working on the functional analysis of the Pneumocystis superoxide dismutase encoding gene that is key for Pneumocystis to fight against oxidative stress in the patient lung; (ii) her second post-doctoral training in the pharmaceutical industry at Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals (Belgium, 2000-2002) focusing on the validation on the cell cycle checkpoint kinase Chk2 as a potential cancer therapeutical target.

In 2003, Dr. Aliouat-Denis joined the faculty of Pharmacy (University of Lille) as a university lecturer in Parasitology and Medical mycology. For more than a decade, her research advanced the comprehension of the cell and life cycles as well as the transmission mechanisms of Pneumocystis micromycetes. Since 2015, her research interest has focused on the replication step of Hepatitis E virus by studying the processing of the non-structural ORF1 polyprotein of the virus as well as the interaction of ORF1 with the cellular endomembranes, an important step in the establishment of the HEV replication complex. Dr Aliouat-Denis also participates in a transversal research axis of the Molecular and Cellular Virology team by testing plant extracts but also chemical compound libraries to identify new molecules acting on viral replication.

Through her research, Dr. Aliouat-Denis aims at a better understanding of the processes governing the replication step of the hepatitis E virus.