Molecular Cancer Microbiology

The human microbiome is increasingly recognized as a key regulator of human health and disease. More than 20% of cancers are linked to pathogens, a number likely underestimated. Yet, our understanding of how microbes shape tumor biology remains limited, particularly at the molecular level.

Addressing this challenge requires an interdisciplinary effort. To this aim, we bring together expertise in microbiology (Dr. Marie-Stéphanie Aschtgen’s team) and cancer biology (Dr. Sylvain Peuget’s team) to investigate the dynamic interplay between oncogenic bacteria, tumor cells and the immune system. Our research focuses on how microbiota-associated bacteria influence cancer initiation, progression, and response to therapy. By integrating molecular biology both on the host and the bacteria with in vivo models, imaging and multiomics, we aim to decipher host-microbes interactions at molecular resolution.

Our ultimate goal is to translate our findings into new therapies. By identifying novel targets within both the host and the microbiota, our research will pave the way for microbiota-informed strategies to enhance cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatments.