A l'UM la science [S01-ep02]: Side-effect-free opioids at the experimental economics platform

On the program: opioid analgesics that may one day be devoid of addictive side effects, with Rémy Sounier from theInstitut de génomique fonctionnelle. In the second half of the program, Dimitri Dubois introduces us to LEEM, the experimental platform of Montpellier's Center for Environmental Economics.

Codeine, tramadol, buprenorphine, fentanyl, oxycodone... If you've crossed paths with these drugs, you've also crossed paths with pain! Today, A l'UM la science takes you into the highly sensitive field of opioid analgesics. Whether it's caused by a migraine, a surgical procedure, an injury or an illness, dealing with pain is not an option, since a simple tablet can sometimes be enough to make it go away, for a few hours at least. But how much pain, and to what extent? A question at the heart of what some are calling the "opioid crisis", or how to balance pain and side-effects when the latter can sometimes even lead to death. It is estimated that 70,000 people will die from taking opioid painkillers in the United States in 2019.

Towards side-effect-free opioid analgesics

A reality that may soon become a thing of the past, thanks to the work of our guest and his team. Rémy Sounier is a researcher at theInstitute of Functional Genomics (IGF), and his discoveries are paving the way for a new generation of opioids without dependence or heavy side effects. His findings were published last September in the journal Molecular Cell.

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Experimentation in economics

In the second half of the program, we take you to the Richter campus, home to LEEM, the experimental platform of the Montpellier Center for Environmental Economics. Dimitri Dubois, its manager, opened the doors to us during an experimental session in which we were able to take part.

At UM la science you've got the program, here we go!

Coproduction: Divergence FM / Université de Montpellier
Animation:
Lucie Lecherbonnier
Interview
and report: Aline Périault / Lucie Lecherbonnier
Editing: Lucie Lecherbonnier
Production: Bruno Bertrand

Listen to the program "A l'UM la science" on Divergence FM 93.9


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