Research
How neurons are specified during development and how they connect to each other to shape thoughts and behaviour are fascinating questions in neuroscience. The overall aim of our research is to understand the mechanisms that govern the development of the nervous system in physiological and pathological conditions, using a combination of molecular, cellular, and genetic approaches. Our studies emphasize in the role of Planar Cell Polarity (PCP) genes and cytoskeletal associated proteins such as the formin protein DIAPH3 and the microtubule binding protein KIF2A, in brain development and diseases. We uncovered key functions for these proteins in cell division, polarity, migration, and axon guidance; and linked their dysfunctions to several neurological disorders such as microcephaly, epilepsy, autism, and primary brain tumours.
Team members
Fadel TISSIR, Principal Investigator
Nuria RUIZ REIG, Postdoctoral researcher
Irene DURA ESTEVE, Postdoctoral researcher
Sachin DESHPANDE, Postdoctoral researcher
Isabelle LAMBERMONT, Research technician
Sanaa AHERDAN, Research technician
Sayed JREIGE, Research technician
Collaborations
UCLouvain collaborations:
- Prs. Philippe GAILLY, Nicolas TAJEDDINE, Bernard HANSEEUW and Pascal KIENLEN-CAMPARD.
International collaborations:
- Pr. Marc SPEHR. Aachen University (Germany)
- Pr. Nenad SESTAN. Yale University (United States)
- Pr. Denis JABAUDON. Geneva University (Switzerland)
- Dr. Julian PETERSEN. University of Leipzig Medical Center (Germany)
- Pr. Guido RUBBOLI. University of Copenhagen (Denmark)
Ongoing Projects
- Role of CELSR1-3 proteins in neuronal development and function
- Role of DIAPHANOUS 3 at the intersection between neurogenesis and glioma genesis.
- Linking neurodevelopment to neurodegeneration: A focus on KIF2A.
Key publications
▪ Chehade G., El Hajj N., Aittaleb M, Alkailani M., Bejaoui Y., Mahdi A., Aldaalis A., Verbiest M., Lelotte J., Ruiz-Reig N., Durá I., Raftopoulos C., Tajeddine N., Tissir F. DIAPH3 predicts survival of patients with MGMT-methylated glioblastoma. Frontiers in oncology 2024.
▪ Ruiz-Reig N., Chehade G., Hakanen J., Aittaleb M., Wierda K., De Wit J., Nguyen L., Gailly P., Tissir F. KIF2A deficiency causes early-onset neurodegeneration. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2022 Nov 16;119(46): e2209714119.
▪ Lau EO., Damiani D., Chehade G., Ruiz-Reig N., Saade R., Jossin Y., Aittaleb M., Schakman O., Tajeddine N, Gailly P, Tissir F. DIAPH3 deficiency links microtubules to mitotic errors, defective neurogenesis, and brain dysfunction. Elife. 2021 doi: 10.7554/eLife.61974.
▪ Boucherie C., Boutin C., Jossin Y., Schakman O., Goffinet A.M., Ris L., Gailly P. and Tissir F. Neural progenitor fate decision defects, cortical hypoplasia and behavioral impairment in Celsr1-deficient mice. Molecular Psychiatry (2017) 00, 1–12
▪ Damiani D., Goffinet AM, Alberts, Tissir F. Lack of Diaph3 relaxes the spindle checkpoint causing the loss of neural progenitors. Nat Commun, 2016. 7: p. 13509.