The Department

Dernière mise à jour : le 09/07/2025

Presentation

The Biological and Medical Sciences (SBM) research department brings together six research units and one service unit whose primary goal is to advance scientific research in human health. These units aim to drive major biological advances to shape the medicine of tomorrow. The activities of the units within the SBM Department span a vast multidisciplinary field, ranging from fundamental research to clinical applications.

The scientific scope of these research units includes research on host–microorganism interactions, the immune and vascular systems, rare and inflammatory diseases, and cancer. The Department’s units offer a diversity of conceptual and methodological approaches, providing researchers with multiple opportunities for collaboration, technological and scientific innovation, and transfer to clinical practice for pediatric, adult, and elderly patients. Their activities are also supported by shared, high-quality technological platforms.

In this context, the SBM Department is responsible for coordinating research activities. It promotes synergy among the research units to consolidate and complement their strengths. The Department also works to enhance their visibility and activities through various initiatives, such as sustainable development, cross-disciplinary doctoral training, communication, and seminars.

To increase the visibility of the research conducted within the Department, it encourages the development of broad disciplinary communities that extend beyond the Department itself, at both local and regional levels. To support these initiatives, the Department has established several working groups, and this website has been created to promote their activities and the units that comprise the Department.

Activities

The research activities of the Department are divided into different thematic research areas:

• Cancer

Cancer research in Bordeaux relies on a strong interdisciplinary approach—fundamental, translational, and technological—with a focus on patients ranging from infants to the elderly. This research area is also part of the highly active regional Oncosphere network.

• Host/microorganism relationships

These teams work in parasitology, virology, bacteriology, and host–pathogen interactions. Their research spans fundamental studies to clinical applications, notably addressing antibiotic resistance. This research area is characterized by its diversity and strong national collaborations, in particular with the LabEx ParaFrap network—the French Alliance Against Parasitic Diseases.

• The immune and vascular system

Recognizing the importance of the environment and the immune system in health, particular attention is devoted to understanding cellular interactions involved in the functioning of the immune and vascular systems in disease.

• Rare diseases, inflammatory diseases

The Bordeaux community has developed recognized expertise in rare diseases, supported by 15 national reference centers. Research activity in this field is extensive, involving several teams in the Department working on oncology, genetic, metabolic, and autoimmune diseases.

Several cross-cutting themes characterize the Department’s research, including metabolism, aging, and cell function. Many of these projects are closely linked to clinical research, particularly within the ACRONIM and SMART University Hospital Federations (FHU).

Structures of the Department

This Department is composed of six research units and one service unit.

Component structures

Bordeaux Institute of Oncology (BRIC - Inserm U1312)

Biologie des maladies cardiovasculaires (BMC - Inserm U1034)

Immunologie conceptuelle, expérimentale et translationnelle (ImmunoConcept - CNRS UMR 5164)

Institut de biochimie et génétique cellulaires (IBGC - CNRS UMR 5095)

Maladies rares : génétique et métabolisme (MRGM - Inserm 1211)

Microbiologie fondamentale et pathogénicité (MFP - CNRS UMR 5234)

TBMCore (CNRS UMS 3427 - Inserm US 005)

Composition of the bodies

Departmental Council

It is composed of 22 members, including 12 faculty researchers, 6 staff scientists, 2 doctoral and postdoctoral representatives, and 2 external members.

Directors' Committee

It is composed of the six unit directors and invited members (head of doctoral training, etc.).

Doctoral School

Doctoral School of Life and Health Sciences

Partnerships

CHU de Bordeaux

Institut Bergonié

ENSTBB - Bordeaux INP (École nationale supérieure de technologie des biomolécules de Bordeaux) 

EFS (Établissement français du sang)

Communauté ASPERON & CO - Associations and patients engaged in oncology research & professional community