Célia Caillet-Saguy

I obtained a permanent position at the Institut Pasteur in 2014 by proposing a project on the subversion by viruses of signaling pathways involving PDZ-containing proteins. Indeed, many viral proteins from viruses of different families (hepatitis B virus, human papilloma virus, influenza virus, dengue virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, rabies virus, severe acute respiratory virus) encode for PDZ domain binding motifs (PBMs) allowing interactions with cellular PDZ proteins. Examination of the cellular PDZ proteins targeted by the viral PBMs reveals that the viral proteins interact with proteins controlling for example: apoptosis as we have identified in the Rabies virus, the formation of tight junctions and the establishment of cell polarity as we determined in SARS-CoV-2. The study of the disruption of the function of cellular PDZcontaining proteins by viruses encoding viral proteins having a PBM highlights a strategy widely used by viruses to improve their replication, dissemination in the host and transmission to new hosts. These PDZ/PBM interactions are important whether in virulence, malignancy or viral replication. This line of research could therefore increase our understanding of the different aspects of the pathophysiology of infection by different viruses. I focus my research on understanding the function of PDZ-containing proteins in cell signaling and their disruption by viruses through the study of their structures, interactions and dynamics. The functional and structural aspects of these proteins are studied.

Professional experiences

• 2018-present Researcher, Channel Receptors Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris; Works manager (2017)/co-director (since 2021) of Protein Biochemistry courses of the Institut Pasteur (5-weeks teaching unit of Master 2 Sorbonne University & University of Paris-Cité)
• 2014-2017 Researcher, NMR of Biomolecules Unit; Teacher in Protein Biochemistry courses of the Institut Pasteur; Visiting Scientist, Università “La Sapienza”, Roma, Italy (3 months)
• 2012-2013 Post-doctorate, NMR of Biomolecules Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris
• 2008-2011 Post-doctorate, Structural Virology Unit, CNRS, Gif sur Yvette
• 2003-2007 PhD student, NMR of Biomolecules Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris;
• CERM laboratory, Florence, Italy (short-term Marie-Curie fellowship; 6 months);
Teacher’s Assistant in biochemistry practical courses, Paris 6 university, Paris
(96h/year)

Education

• 2022 Accreditation to supervise research (HDR), Paris Saclay University
• 2016 University Diploma “Valorization of Applied Research and Biomedical Innovation” – University Paris 6 (Sorbonne University)
• 2007 PhD in Biochemistry – University Paris 7 (University of Paris-Cité)
• 2003 Master’s degree (DEA) Structure, Function and Protein Engineering – University Paris 7 (University of Paris-Cité)