Brussels Metropolitan Area
I am a Neuroscientist with extensive experience in leading projects on the role of glial cells in regulating the physiology of reproduction, metabolism, sleep, and in the pathophysiology of temporal lobe epilepsy. Currently, I am leading the “In Vivo Epilepsy Group” at UCB BioPharma in the Neuroscience Therapeutic Area. My team contributes to the evaluation of new drug targets in preclinical models of epilepsy and the development of novel treatments.
Head of the “In Vivo Epilepsy Group” at UCB BioPharma in the Neuroscience Therapeutic Area. My team contributes to the evaluation of new drug targets in preclinical models of epilepsy and the development of novel treatments. - Ensure validation of new models of epilepsy. - Contribute to study design and provide in-depth analysis and critical assessment of study data. - Contribute to the development of the in vivo epilepsy platforms to ensure a high level of technical quality and capabilities to fulfill the changing needs of epilepsy research. - Ensure appropriate training of students or new scientific staff members and post-docs by sharing technical expertise. - Ensure that all studies are compliant with Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) and animal ethics guidelines.
Using electrophysiology, calcium imaging, optogenetic, DREADD approaches and behavioral assay, my research aims at deciphering the contribution of the ependymoglial cells, tanycytes, to the control of hypothalamic neurons regulating feeding behavior. For my research at Inserm, I received the Marie-Curie European fellowship to lead the "TANYFEEDNEURONS" project and identify tanycytes as new targets for the therapeutic treatment of metabolic disorders such as obesity (Al-Massadi O, Quiñones M, Clasadonte J et al., Diabetes (2019); Tata B,..., Prevot V, Clasadonte J, Giacobini P. Nat Med 24, 834 (2018); Prevot V,..., Clasadonte J, Endocr Rev 39, 333 (2018); Clasadonte J, Prevot V. Nat Rev Endocrinol 14, 25 (2018)).
My continued fascination with the field of neuron-glia interactions led me to join the laboratory of Prof. Philip G. Haydon at Tufts University in Boston after my Ph.D. There, I have initiated and led studies that provide compelling support for the notion that astrocytes contribute to the development of epilepsy and sleep disorders (Clasadonte et al., Neuron 95, 1365 (2017); Clasadonte et al., Neurobiol Dis 91, 315 (2016); Clasadonte et al., J Neurosci 34, 1879 (2014); Clasadonte et al., PNAS 110, 17540 (2013); Clasadonte and Haydon, JASPER Book 4th Ed., 591 (2012)). For my research in the Haydon Lab, I received an Epilepsy Foundation fellowship and CURE Epilepsy Innovator Award. In addition to my publications, I have given invited talks at international meetings such as the Gordon Research Conference on epilepsy in the US and a Colloquium on Glial Cells in France, providing further evidence of my recognition and involvement in the Neuroscience community.