Sylvain Baize

Sylvain Baize is a Professor and Head of Structure at the Institut Pasteur, where he leads the National Reference Center (NRC) for Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHF) in Lyon, France. His research focuses on Lassa fever and Ebola virus, integrating fundamental virology with clinical and field surveillance.

• Position: Principal Investigator (PI), Head of Structure
• Institution: Institut Pasteur
• Department: National Reference Center for Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHF)
• Location: Lyon, France

His research interests center on the molecular mechanisms of viral pathogenesis, particularly for Lassa fever, using animal and primary cell culture models. He investigates the role of cellular and humoral immunity in controlling infections and studies immune evasion strategies of arenaviruses. His work extends to developing prophylactic and therapeutic approaches, including vaccine development and antiviral therapies.

The recent publication trends show a strong emphasis on vaccine development (e.g., measles-vectored and MOPEVAC platforms), immune responses during fatal infections, viral pathogenesis in non-human primate models, and antiviral drug discovery. His team frequently publishes in high-impact journals such as Nature, PLoS Pathogens, and The Lancet.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• No specific awards are listed in the provided text.

Advising and Grants:

Sylvain Baize actively supervises a team of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, fostering the next generation of virologists. His research is supported by major transversal projects including the LabEx IBEID (Integrative Biology of Emerging Infectious Diseases) and collaborations with the Center for Vaccinology and Immunotherapy (CVI). He has been instrumental in surveillance and response efforts during outbreaks, such as the 2014 Ebola epidemic in West Africa, highlighting both national and international grant and operational support.

Labs and Teams:

He leads the UBIVE research team and the NRC for VHF at the Institut Pasteur Lyon. The team includes research engineers, technicians, PhD students, and postdocs, working in BSL-4 and BSL-2 containment facilities. The NRC plays a dual role in fundamental research and applied public health, collecting viral strains and biological samples from clinical and field investigations.