Jean-François Brunet is a Professor in the Department of Biology at École Normale Supérieure (ENS), leading the research team focusing on the visceral nervous system (VNS). His work integrates embryology, evolutionary biology, and physiology to study the development, evolution, and function of autonomic circuits, particularly their role in homeostasis and disease. Research Interests: Embryonic origins of autonomic neurons and ganglia Evolution of sensorimotor circuits across vertebrates and invertebrates Physiological mechanisms of respiratory control and CO₂ chemosensitivity Recent studies highlight breakthroughs such as the dual origin of enteric neurons and the reclassification of sacral autonomic pathways. His team employs cutting-edge techniques including optogenetics, viral tracing, and in vivo imaging to dissect neural circuits. Labs/Teams: Head of the VNS team at IBENS, collaborating with the Fortin lab on respiratory physiology. Involved in multi-disciplinary platforms for genomics and computational biology.










