Sophie Barbe

Sophie Barbe is a Professor at Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Toulouse (INSA Toulouse) specializing in computational protein design and artificial intelligence applications in biochemistry. She serves as a thesis director for PhD students at INSA Toulouse and Université Toulouse 3, and is affiliated with the ANITI research institute focused on artificial intelligence.

Professor Barbe's research focuses on the intersection of computer science and biochemistry, with emphasis on:

• Developing AI-powered methods for computational protein design
• Engineering enzymes for biocatalysis applications
• Creating neuro-symbolic approaches that combine deep learning with logical reasoning for biomolecular design
• Designing miniprotein binders and symmetrical multi-component proteins

Her recent work shows a strong trend toward integrating advanced AI techniques with traditional computational biology approaches, resulting in practical tools for protein engineering. She has published extensively in top venues including Nature, PLOS ONE, and major AI conferences.

Professor Barbe has supervised numerous PhD students to completion, including Jelena Vucinic, Marianne Defresne, and Younes Bouchiba. Her lab maintains active collaborations with both academic and industrial partners in biotechnology.

As an active researcher with publications extending into 2025, Professor Barbe continues to push the boundaries of computational protein design, particularly through the integration of novel AI methodologies with structural biology principles.