My research program investigates how RNA processing shapes gene expression in hematopoiesis and how its dysregulation contributes to hematological disorders. After several years at Institut Pasteur studying alternative splicing and gene regulation, I joined Institut Imagine in 2020, where I progressively developed an integrated research program at the interface of RNA biology, molecular hematology and translational medicine.

• RNA-processing dynamics during human erythropoiesis – We investigate how alternative splicing, transcript isoform usage and alternative polyadenylation are dynamically regulated throughout human erythroid differentiation. By combining long-read transcriptomics with functional analyses, we aim to establish an isoform-resolved framework for normal erythropoiesis and identify RNA-processing alterations relevant to red-cell disorders.

• RNA-processing alterations in systemic mastocytosis and associated myeloid disorders – We investigate how mutations affecting RNA-processing pathways, particularly SF3B1, cooperate with oncogenic KIT signaling in systemic mastocytosis associated with myelodysplastic syndromes. Our goal is to define disease-specific transcriptomic alterations and identify molecular vulnerabilities that could be therapeutically exploited.

• Fetal hemoglobin reactivation through transcriptome reprogramming – We investigate whether selective modulation of BCL11A RNA isoforms can alter its regulatory activity and reactivate fetal hemoglobin. Using RNA-targeting approaches, including antisense and CRISPR-based strategies, we aim to develop isoform-selective therapeutic concepts for β-hemoglobinopathies.

• Pathological RNA isoforms in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia – We use long-read transcriptomics to identify recurrent disease-associated RNA isoforms in T-ALL and determine their functional consequences. Selected isoforms are investigated using isoform-specific perturbation approaches to assess their contribution to leukemic signaling, cell fitness and therapeutic vulnerabilities.

Together, these projects aim to define how RNA isoform diversity contributes to hematopoietic differentiation and disease, and to determine whether pathological transcriptomes can be selectively reprogrammed for therapeutic benefit.

 

Research group

PhD students

• Milo Migeon — BCL11A isoform reprogramming and fetal hemoglobin reactivation
• Eline Haerens — SF3B1/KIT cooperation and RNA-processing alterations in systemic mastocytosis
• Candice Gautier — Disease-associated RNA isoforms in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
• Aya Ghoul — RNA isoform dynamics during human erythropoiesis

Research staff

• Naïma Ammiche — Bioinformatics
• Valentina Gligorijevic — Research engineering

Former PhD student

• Oriane Mauger

Former students, trainees and visiting scientists

• Aneta Skotnicová — Visiting scientist
• Héloïse Rethore — Engineering student
• Jane Schadtler-Law — Master 1 student
• Thomas Damaguez — Master 1 student
• Claudia Sudol — Master 2 student
• Alexandre Terré — PhD student, co-supervision
• Jules Bobin — Engineering student
• Clara Jukic — Engineering student
• Flore Lainey — Engineering student
• Ana Raingeval — Master 1 student
• Isabel Junceda — Master 2 student, Magistère de Génétique
• Judit Carrasco — Master 2 student, Magistère de Génétique
• Anaïs Granjon — Research staff / engineering