[Young Researchers Only]: MorphoChip: Cell Quadruplets to Study Cell Intercalation || HCERES discussion - Daniel SELMA HERRADOR - (PhD, BIOP) || HCERES discussion for Non-Permanents

Algae and bacterial love: Optimization of microalgae biosynthesis via controlled algal-bacterial symbiosis 

Daniel SELMA HERRADOR - (PhD, BIOP)

Cell intercalation, or T1 transition, is a central morphogenetic process in which cells exchange neighbors to shape tissues while preserving overall integrity. It involves active and passive mechanisms such as cell crawling and actomyosin pulsations, respectively, but the physical working principle remains unknown. Typical in vivo studies (e.g., Drosophila) comprise highly complex environments to study these isolated events, whereas in silico models require experimental validation. Here, we introduce an in vitro assay using four-cell assemblies—cell quadruplets—that replicate the minimal tissue architecture for T1 transitions, setting a compromise between biological relevance and access to statistical analysis. Experiments prove that cell intercalation rates can be tuned through passive perturbations, and that novel associated energy landscapes can be extracted per condition, consistent with cell–vertex models.

HCERES Evaluation – What It Is & Why it is important for Non Permanents

The HCERES (High Council for the Evaluation of Research and Higher Education) is the national body that periodically evaluates universities, research labs, and doctoral schools in France. Its visiting committee reviews research quality, training conditions, supervision, career support, working environment, and the overall functioning of the lab. 

Since the HCERES visit will take place in the first week of December, the seminar will be held exceptionally on a Tuesday to gather the concerns, priorities, and suggestions of the non-permanent members of the lab.