Nadine Laguette: inspiring and well-inspired

From the AIDS virus to inflammatory responses, Nadine Laguette has a knack for identifying research topics at the forefront 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 and 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 research career. As proof, the young virologist was recruited by the CNRS the following year to join the IGH.

Three years later, another discovery expanded his research into inflammatory immune mechanisms, a rapidly growing field of research (DNA damage repair machinery and HIV evasion of innate immune detection).“While continuing to observe 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 initial funding from the European Research Council (ERC), which enabled her to establish her own research team within the IGH in 2015. In addition to viral infections, the team also investigates the inflammatory mechanisms associated with autoimmune diseases and cancers.

Zebrafish

The scientist then developed an innovative approach combining research on single cells with observations in live animals.“For example, we worked with zebrafish, which have the advantage of being transparent, allowing us to directly observe the recruitment of immune cells at the tumor site.”The result: the team demonstrated that severe inflammation contributes to more effective tumor control, as immune cells accumulate in the inflamed area (2016). Acute inflammation is emerging as a serious avenue for application in immunotherapy. Nadine Laguette then successfully launched a new ERC Proof of Concept grant and two preclinical programs“to bring fundamental findings to the patient.”

“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 open up further promising 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

Given the sheer scale 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.” And so be it if one person expects near-daily feedback on their work, another prefers weekly meetings, and a third, highly independent team member won’t reach out for a month. “This 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 several 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,” says Laguette, who isn’t unhappy about visiting the island this year during school break, when the demands will be lighter. She left Mauritius after high school to study in London. A well-considered choice, as she explains today: “I was interested in the 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 for 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.