Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jerome Robin | Cellular Senescence Aging | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jerome Robin , Aix Marseille Univ. / Inserm , France

Jérôme D. Robin, PhD, is an experienced researcher and Innovation Strategy Lead at ID Solutions Oncology. With expertise in cell and molecular biology, he is committed to advancing oncology diagnostics through digital PCR and companion diagnostics. He has held numerous prestigious positions, including CRCN (Tenured, INSERM) and Postdoctoral Fellow roles at renowned institutes such as UTSW and AMU/INSERM. Jérôme has demonstrated leadership in academia and industry, with contributions to the understanding of telomere biology, aging, and muscular dystrophies. He has a strong publication record, including high-impact research in telomere dynamics, aging, and disease modeling, and has been awarded multiple research grants throughout his career.

Publication Profile: 

Scopus

Strengths for the Award:

1. Outstanding Academic Background and Expertise: Dr. Robin holds a PhD in Cell & Molecular Biology with a focus on Facio-Scapulo-Humeral Dystrophy (FSHD), and his educational trajectory, including a Master’s in Aging Biology, is highly distinguished. The advanced understanding he has developed of telomere dynamics, epigenetics, and the molecular mechanisms underlying muscle diseases is an essential strength for this award.

2. Extensive Research Contributions: Dr. Robin has made significant contributions to the fields of aging, cancer biology, and muscular dystrophies. He has co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications, several of which are in high-impact journals such as Aging Cell, Nature Communications, and Sci Rep. His work on telomeres and their role in both aging and disease, especially FSHD, is pivotal and offers novel insights into therapeutic potential.

3. Innovative and Diverse Research Areas: Dr. Robin’s research spans multiple cutting-edge areas, including:

   • Telomere biology and its implications for aging and diseases (e.g., FSHD and cancer).
   • Development of advanced diagnostic tools using droplet digital PCR and nanopore technology for precise biomarkers.
   • Use of iPSCs for modeling diseases and uncovering new therapeutic targets.
   • Epigenetics in muscle and neural diseases. His work not only explores the basic mechanisms but also translates these findings into clinical applications, such as companion diagnostics and personalized treatments.

4. Leadership and Impact: In his current role as Oncology Innovation Strategy Lead, Dr. Robin has successfully led the creation and development of diagnostic products. His ability to integrate research into impactful product development is commendable and speaks to his interdisciplinary expertise. Additionally, his leadership in research groups, where he has supervised multiple postdoctoral fellows and PhD students, shows his ability to foster the next generation of scientists.

5. International Recognition and Peer Review Activity: Dr. Robin’s involvement in peer review for high-profile journals (Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, Science, JAMA, etc.) and his continuous engagement with global scientific communities underscore his influence and recognition in the scientific world.

6. Funded Research and Mentorship: Dr. Robin has received numerous prestigious grants, including from INSERM, AFM, and the FSH Society, demonstrating strong support for his research. His mentorship of students and postdoctoral fellows also enhances his profile as a leader in academia and research.

Areas for Improvement:

1. Further Expansion of Collaborative Networks: While Dr. Robin has an impressive research portfolio, expanding his collaborations beyond the fields of molecular biology and oncology could open new avenues for integrating his findings into broader biomedical contexts, such as gene therapy or regenerative medicine.

2. Broader Public Engagement and Science Communication: Dr. Robin’s focus has primarily been within academia and high-level publications. Engaging in more public science communication or outreach could further amplify the impact of his research, especially in rare diseases like FSHD. A wider dissemination of his findings could help educate the general public and policymakers about the importance of his research.

3. Increased Focus on Translational Research: While Dr. Robin has shown excellent progress in translational applications, particularly in diagnostics, increasing his focus on clinical trials and therapeutic development could further elevate his research impact. Expanding collaborations with clinical researchers could accelerate the development of novel treatments.

Education:

Jérôme D. Robin holds a PhD in Cell & Molecular Biology from UPMC/UTSW (2009-2013), where he explored the implications of telomere length in Facio-Scapulo-Humeral Dystrophy (FSHD). He also completed a Master 2 in Aging Biology at Paris VI – UPMC with distinction (2008-2009), focusing on the physiology and cell biology of aging, and a Master 1 in Integrative Biology and Physiology at Paris VI – UPMC (2007-2008). His academic background equips him with strong foundations in both basic and translational biology, with a focus on telomeres, aging, and muscle pathology.

Experience:

Jérôme D. Robin currently leads Oncology Innovation Strategy at ID Solutions, focusing on developing diagnostic and companion diagnostic products using digital PCR. He has a rich research background, having worked as a Group Leader at Marseille Medical Genetics, investigating telomere epigenetics and dynamics in innovative models. He has also held postdoctoral positions at UTSW, focusing on telomerase activity and splicing in cancer. He has extensive experience supervising postdocs, PhD students, and undergraduates, while leading large-scale research initiatives in genetics and disease modeling. His expertise bridges academia and industry, ensuring impactful, clinically relevant findings.

Research Focus:

Jérôme D. Robin’s research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of telomere dynamics, aging, and disease. He has contributed to understanding the role of telomeres in muscle dystrophies, particularly Facio-Scapulo-Humeral Dystrophy (FSHD), and has developed disease models using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). His work integrates genomics, epigenetics, and molecular biology to uncover new biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for age-related diseases and cancer. His focus includes studying the interaction between telomere biology and mitochondrial function, as well as the epigenetic regulation of gene expression in muscle and stem cells.

Publications Top Notes:

• Non-canonical telomere protection role of FOXO3a of human skeletal muscle cells regulated by the TRF2-redox axis 🧬
• In skeletal muscle and neural crest cells, SMCHD1 regulates biological pathways relevant for Bosma syndrome and FSHD phenotype 🔬
• Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy weakened sarcomeric contractility is mimicked in iPSC-derived innervated muscle fibres 💡
• miR-376a-3p and miR-376b-3p overexpression in Hutchinson-Gilford progeria fibroblasts inhibits cell proliferation and induces premature senescence ⏳
• TADeus2: a web server facilitating the clinical diagnosis by pathogenicity assessment of structural variations disarranging 3D chromatin structure 🌐

Conclusion:

Dr. Jérôme D. Robin is an exemplary researcher whose work at the intersection of cell and molecular biology, aging, and muscular dystrophies has made a significant impact on both basic and applied sciences. His innovative research, leadership in the development of diagnostic tools, and contributions to understanding complex diseases like FSHD position him as a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. With continued focus on expanding collaborations and public engagement, he has the potential to further increase his influence and contribute to transformative advancements in biomedical research.