Prof. Mike Fainzilber
Ph.D. 1993 Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Postdoctoral training 1993-1997 at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the Karolinska Institute Stockholm. Since 1998, at the Department of Biological Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science.
Our group is interested in communication and signaling in the nervous system, specifically in long distance intracellular communication along nerve axons. We became interested in PWS when we identified necdin, a candidate PWS gene, as an interactor of the p75 neurotrophin receptor. Our efforts within the framework of the PWS EU project are to identify necdin interacting partners and to understand the role of necdin in signaling networks in neuronal cells.
For more information please see http://www.weizmann.ac.il/Biological_Chemistry/scientist/Fainzilber/Fainzilber.html
Francoise Muscatelli
( IBDML, CNRS, Marseille, France)My group is interested in the identification of genes, involved in a neuropathology, the Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). This is a complex disease involving at least two genes from a large imprinted region where only paternal alleles are expressed. PWS is an interesting pathology to investigate genetic factors involved in brain dysfunction.
Previously, we characterized two candidate genes, Necdin and Magel2, members of the MAGE gene family. Necdin deficient mice present characteristics reminiscent of PWS symptoms and Magel2 deficient mice are under inv estigation. Now, using genetically modified mouse models we investigate the physiological and pathophysiological role of both genes as well as their molecular and cellular function..
About IBDML website: http://ibdml.univ-mrs.fr
Education
2004: Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches . (University Aix-Marseille II)
1992: Ph.D. (University Paris 6)
Professional Experience
1999-2006: Chargé de Recherches 1ère classe, CNRS
Since January 2006: Group leader UMR 6126 CNRS « Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille Luminy » (Director: G. Rougon).
2002-2005: Group leader UMR CNRS 6156 « Neurogénèse et morphogénèse dans le développement et chez l’adulte », Marseille. (Director: G. Rougon).
1999-2001: Unité INSERM 491, Marseille (Director: M. Fontes)
1995-99: Chargée de Recherches 2eme classe, CNRS
Group Leader Unité INSERM 491 “ Laboratoire de génétique médicale et de développement ”, Faculté de médecine la Timone, Marseille.
1992-95: Senior Research Fellow of the Imperial Cancer Research Fundation in the “Human genetics laboratory” (Dr. A.P. Monaco), Institute of Molecular Medecine, Oxford-UK
Membership of scientific comittees
Since 2004 : Membre nommé de la Commission de Spécialistes de Biologie de l’Université d’Aix-Marseille II.
2000-2004 : Membre élu de la section 23 du CNRS.
2002-2004 : Membre de commission interdisciplinaire 44 du CNRS.
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