Marie Prevost

Marie Prevost is a permanent researcher at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, affiliated with the CNRS UMR 3571 within the Department of Neuroscience and the Channel-receptors team. Her work focuses on the integrative structural biology of human nicotinic receptors and their functional roles in psychiatric and neurological disorders.

• PhD in Biochemistry – Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France (2009–2012)
• Master in Biochemistry – Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France (2007–2009)

Marie Prevost's research centers on the structure-function relationships of human nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), particularly those containing α5 and α7 subunits. These receptors are critically involved in nicotine addiction, lung cancer, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease. She employs a multidisciplinary approach combining biochemistry, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), X-ray crystallography, biophysics, and functional assays to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying receptor activation and allosteric modulation. A major focus of her recent work involves the development and characterization of nanobodies as novel allosteric modulators of the α7 receptor, offering new avenues for therapeutic intervention.

Her recent publications highlight structural insights into receptor-nanobody complexes, mechanisms of allosteric potentiation, and the role of nAChR subunits in addiction. These studies, published in journals such as Nature Communications and Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, reveal innovative regulatory mechanisms with implications for drug design targeting neurological and psychiatric conditions.

Scientific Awards and Funding:

• ANR JCJC NicoContact (2024–2026)
• Fondation ARC individual fellowship (2018–2020)
• Qualification for «Maitre de Conférence» positions (2019)
• PhD fellowship from the «Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche» (2009–2012)

Marie Prevost has not advised any named students in the available records. She has not received any major grants beyond those listed. She is part of the Channel-receptors team at the Institut Pasteur, a dynamic research group focused on the structural and functional analysis of ligand-gated ion channels.