معرفی
Edith Heard is a leading researcher in epigenetics, currently serving as Professor at the Collège de France since 2012. She directs the Epigenetics and Cellular Memory chair, focusing on X chromosome inactivation, nuclear organization, and epigenetic mechanisms in development and disease.
- Born in London (1965)
- Trained at Cambridge University
- Doctorate at Imperial Cancer Research Fund
- Joined Institut Pasteur (1990)
- Heads Genetics and Developmental Biology Unit at Institut Curie
- Executive Director of EMBL since 2019
Her research explores X chromosome inactivation in mammals, uncovering its evolutionary variability and role in disease. She investigates epigenetic processes in cancer, immune disorders, and neurological conditions, linking chromatin dynamics to cellular memory and phenotypic diversity. Her work on topological domains (TADs) has reshaped understanding of genome organization.
Key recent lectures include topics like X-linked autoimmune diseases, environmental epigenetics, and monoallelic gene expression. Her findings bridge developmental biology, evolutionary adaptation, and disease susceptibility.
- CNRS Gold Medal (2024)
- ERC Advanced Investigator Award (2010)
- Inserm Grand Prix (2017)
- EMBO member since 2005
She organizes annual symposia and public lectures on epigenetic mechanisms, emphasizing their implications for female biology and therapeutic potential in cancer and genetic diseases.
