Javier Pizarro-Cerda

I am interested in the molecular events that control the entry of the bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes within mammalian host cells. In particular, I investigate the signaling pathways that are activated downstream of the adhesion molecule E-cadherin and the hepatocyte growth factor receptor Met, which are the cellular receptors for the L. monocytogenes surface proteins InlA and InlB. Applying a systems biology strategy, my team has recently analysed diverse siRNA, microRNA and drug libraries to identify novel signaling networks that up- or down-regulate L. monocytogenes infection. At present, we are studying the function of these novel networks not only within an infection context, but also from a broader cellular biology perspective by using L. monocytogenes as a molecular tool to manipulate host cell functions. Finally, I am also interested in the characterization of novel bacterial virulence factors present only in epidemic L. monocytogenes strains, including the first bacteriocin reported for this species which modulates the host microbiota to favor infection.

Javier Pizarro-Cerda obtained B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from the University of Costa Rica while working in the laboratory of Edgardo Moreno, studying the adaptations of the outer membrane of the Gram-negative pathogen Brucella abortus to cationic peptides. He then obtained a D.E.A. and a Ph.D. from the University of Aix-Marseilles while working in the laboratory of Jean-Pierre Gorvel, identifying the intracellular trafficking of Brucella abortus in epithelial cells. Subsequently, he joined the laboratory of Pascale Cossart at the Pasteur Institute in Paris to investigate signaling cascades triggered by the Gram-positive pathogen Listeria monocytogenes during invasion of host mammalian cells. In 2001 Javier Pizarro-Cerda joins the Pasteur Institute as a permanent researcher and obtains his first grant from the French Ministry of Research. Since, he has been involved in local (Pasteur Institute Transversal Programs), national (French National Agency for Research, Defense Innovation Agency) and international (ERANET, Systems X, National Institutes of Health) research initiatives, investigating the adaptations of bacterial pathogens to intracellular life. He has been actively involved in teaching and has participated in practical and theoretical courses in France, Argentina, Costa Rica, Grèce and China. During his career, Javier Pizarro-Cerda has developed his research as invited investigator in different international laboratories including the Center for Microscopy & Microanalysis (Queensland University, Australia), the Weizmann Institute (Rehovot, Israel), the University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas, USA), the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology (Berlin, Germany) and the Biozentrum (Basel, Switzerland). In 1998, Javier Pizarro-Cerda obtains the Costarrican National Award for Science ‘Clodomiro Picado-Twight’, in 2012 he becomes member of the Costarrican Academy of Sciences and in 2015 he receives the High Chamber Medal from the French Senate for his contribution fostering interactions between France and Latin America. In 2016, Javier Pizarro-Cerda becomes head of the ‘Systems Biology of Bacterial Infections’ Group and is promoted as Research Director at the Pasteur Institute. In 2017 he receives the ‘Canetti Prize’ from the Pasteur Institute Scientific Council for his global contributions to the field of infectious diseases and becomes head of the Yersinia Research Unit as well as Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Reference and Research Centre for Yersinia.  In 2018 he becomes member of the WHO International Roster of Experts (Plague Panel) while in 2019 Javier Pizarro-Cerda is admited as member of the Academia Europaea.