Nadine Laguette: Inspiring and Well-Inspired

From the AIDS virus to inflammatory responses, Nadine Laguette knows how to find research topics at the heart of current medical concerns. Her postdoctoral work at the Institute of Human Genetics (IGH) in Montpellier already led to a key discovery regarding the interaction between HIV and the immune system. More specifically, the biologist identified the SAMHD1 protein, which plays a role in blocking infection but is targeted by viral proteins to prevent the cell from defending itself. This finding, published in *Nature* in 2011—“a highly cited paper, my first major discovery,” she acknowledges—marked the beginning of her career as a researcher. As proof of this, the young virologist was recruited by the CNRS the following year to join the IGH.

Three years later, another discovery expanded his research to include inflammatory immune mechanisms, a rapidly growing field of research (DNA damage repair machinery and HIV evasion of innate immune detection).“While continuing to study the modes of action of viral proteins, we realized that certain proteins targeted by the virus—those that repair damage to DNA strands—are also involved in the inflammatory response following viral infection,” explains Nadine Laguette. Building on these results, she secured her first grant from the European Research Council (ERC), which enabled her to establish her own research team at the IGH in 2015. In addition to viral infections, the team is also investigating the inflammatory mechanisms associated with autoimmune diseases and cancers.

Zebrafish

The scientist then developed an innovative approach combining research on single cells with observations of live animals.“For example, we worked with zebrafish, which are useful because they are transparent, allowing us to directly observe the recruitment of immune cells to a tumor.”As a result, the team demonstrated that severe inflammation contributes to more effective tumor control, as immune cells accumulate in the inflamed area (2016). Acute inflammation has emerged as a promising avenue for application in immunotherapy. Nadine Laguette then successfully launched a new ERC Proof of Concept grant and two preclinical development programs“to translate fundamental findings into clinical applications for patients.”

“Another important discovery by my team was demonstrating that proteins involved in inflammatory mechanisms are also involved in lipid regulation,” explains the researcher. These findings once again open up interesting therapeutic avenues, “by taking lipid metabolism into account in the treatment of inflammation.” ” And once again, the tireless researcher applied for and was awarded a new ERC Consolidator Grant in 2022, which she will use to expand her research team at the Montpellier Institute of Molecular Genetics (IGMM).

Mauritius

Faced with the sheer scope of the work accomplished, Nadine Laguette seems unfazed. She admits to having finished drafting her ERC a month earlier—in several versions! And, pointing to the top of her head, she confides, “These gray hairs are the result of waiting for a response.” When it comes to managing her team, she doesn’t hold back either: “I adapt to different work styles.” So what if one person expects almost daily feedback on their work, another prefers weekly meetings, and a third—who’s very independent—won’t reach out to her for a month?“This level of availability is a heavy burden to bear, but it keeps the team running smoothly,” she acknowledges.

A quick search online reveals that Nadine Laguette has received various awards. But she hasn’t mentioned any of them. The Mauritian-born researcher is also being asked to share this success with others, to inspire future careers in the Global South.“I get quite a few requests from journalists who want to showcase a success story for young Mauritians,” she says, adding that she’s not at all upset about visiting the island this year during school break, when she’ll be less in demand. She left Mauritius after graduating from high school to study in London. A well-considered choice, as she explains today: “I was interested in a British university because it offers highly specialized programs starting in the first year—in this case, molecular biology.” The city also offers “a multicultural and inclusive atmosphere” where she easily found her place. She then moved to mainland France to pursue her master’s degree at the Institut Cochin. Recently, this inspiring figure was invited by the African Union to promote Africa-Europe collaboration in order to encourage African researchers to apply for European projects.