معرفی
Pierre Lafaye is the Head of the Antibody Engineering Platform at the Institut Pasteur, a leading institution in biological and medical research. His work is situated within the Technology Department, where he leads a core facility focused on the development and application of VHH (nanobody) technologies. The platform supports a wide range of academic and translational research projects, leveraging the unique properties of nanobodies such as small size, high stability, tissue penetration, and blood-brain barrier crossing ability.
Research Interests: Dr. Lafaye’s research spans multiple domains, including cancer immunotherapy (e.g., targeting ILT4 as an immune checkpoint), neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., imaging Alzheimer’s plaques and tangles), infectious diseases (e.g., SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics and therapeutics), and antimicrobial resistance (e.g., targeting β-lactamases). His expertise lies in phage display, protein engineering, and in vivo molecular imaging. He has pioneered the use of dimeric VHHs for sensitive immunoassays and targeted diagnostics.
Recent Publication Trends: His recent publications (2021–2024) reflect a strong emphasis on structural biology (using cryo-EM), viral entry mechanisms (especially coronaviruses), and the therapeutic and diagnostic application of nanobodies. Collaborative, high-impact studies in journals like Nature, Cell, and Nature Communications highlight his role in cutting-edge interdisciplinary research.
- Scientific Awards:
While no specific awards are listed in the provided text, his leadership in IBiSA-certified core facilities and participation in major networks like EuroMabNet, Core For Life (CFL), and CTLS reflect recognition of his technical and scientific contributions.
Advising and Grants: Dr. Lafaye has supervised multiple PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, indicating an active mentoring role. He leads several funded projects, including the ongoing CORONABODIES and Advances in Cancer Immunotherapy projects, as well as completed initiatives like ChagasDiag and VenoMATIcs. These projects involve collaborations across international Pasteur Institutes and academic partners.
Labs and Teams: As head of the Antibody Engineering Platform, he oversees a multidisciplinary team comprising research engineers, technicians, postdocs, and PhD students. The facility is part of broader transversal initiatives at the Institut Pasteur, including those in brain connectivity, cancer, and emerging infectious diseases.
