Alexis Gautreau | Collective Cell Migration | Excellence in Research Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Prof. Alexis Gautreau | Collective Cell Migration | Excellence in Research Award

Ecole Polytechnique | France

Alexis M. Gautreau is an internationally recognized cell biologist whose research centers on the molecular mechanisms governing cytoskeleton organization and cell morphogenesis. As Principal Investigator of the “Cytoskeleton and Cell Morphogenesis” team within the Research Unit Structural Biology of the Cell (UMR7654 CNRS/Ecole Polytechnique), his work investigates how actin networks are dynamically assembled and coordinated to drive essential processes such as membrane protrusion, cell migration, and tissue architecture. His group has been particularly influential in elucidating the functions of multiprotein complexes regulating actin nucleation, cytoskeletal remodeling, and mechanotransduction in normal and pathological contexts, including cancer progression.

Since establishing his research team in 2008, he has played a central role in advancing structural and functional analyses of actin-regulatory factors, contributing to a deeper understanding of how cytoskeletal dynamics shape cell behavior. His scientific leadership includes serving as Research Director at CNRS, Professor at Ecole Polytechnique, Chair of the Biology Department, and elected member of the bureau of the French Society for Cell Biology. He has coordinated international collaborations, notably an International Associated Laboratory with cancer research institutes in Russia, and has contributed to high-level teaching on the actin cytoskeleton, cancer mechanisms, and precision medicine. His work has been recognized through distinctions such as the Fondation ARC “Distinguished Team” Prize and a Visiting Professorship at the MechanoBiology Institute, NUS.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | Orcid 

Featured Publications: 

Krause, M., Gautreau, A., & others. (2014). Steering cell migration: Lamellipodium dynamics and the regulation of directional persistence. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 15(9), 577–590.

Derivery, E., Sousa, C., Gautier, J. J., Lombard, B., Loew, D., Gautreau, A., & others. (2009). The Arp2/3 activator WASH controls the fission of endosomes through a large multiprotein complex. Developmental Cell, 17(5), 712–723.

Fievet, B. T., Gautreau, A., Roy, C., Del Maestro, L., Mangeat, P., Louvard, D., & others. (2004). Phosphoinositide binding and phosphorylation act sequentially in the activation mechanism of ezrin. The Journal of Cell Biology, 164(5), 653–659.

Gorelik, R., & Gautreau, A. (2014). Quantitative and unbiased analysis of directional persistence in cell migration. Nature Protocols, 9(8), 1931–1943.

Crepaldi, T., Gautreau, A., Comoglio, P. M., Louvard, D., & Arpin, M. (1997). Ezrin is an effector of hepatocyte growth factor–mediated migration and morphogenesis in epithelial cells. The Journal of Cell Biology, 138(2), 423–434.

Gautreau, A., Poullet, P., Louvard, D., & Arpin, M. (1999). Ezrin, a plasma membrane–microfilament linker, signals cell survival through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 96(13), 7300–7305.

Ng, T., Parsons, M., Hughes, W. E., Monypenny, J., Zicha, D., Gautreau, A., & others. (2001). Ezrin is a downstream effector of trafficking PKC–integrin complexes involved in the control of cell motility. The EMBO Journal.

Gautreau, A., Louvard, D., & Arpin, M. (2000). Morphogenic effects of ezrin require a phosphorylation-induced transition from oligomers to monomers at the plasma membrane. The Journal of Cell Biology, 150(1), 193–204.

Novikov, N. M., Zolotaryova, S. Y., Gautreau, A. M., & Denisov, E. V. (2021). Mutational drivers of cancer cell migration and invasion. British Journal of Cancer, 124(1), 102–114.

Pujuguet, P., Del Maestro, L., Gautreau, A., Louvard, D., & Arpin, M. (2003). Ezrin regulates E-cadherin-dependent adherens junction assembly through Rac1 activation. Molecular Biology of the Cell, 14(5), 2181–2191.

Zhijie Chang | Extracellular Vesicles | Cell Communication Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Prof. Zhijie Chang | Extracellular Vesicles | Cell Communication Award

Prof. Zhijie Chang, Tsinghua University, China

Professor Zhijie Chang is a distinguished molecular biologist and tenured professor at the School of Medicine and School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing. His research spans cancer signaling pathways, extracellular vesicle-mediated communication, and stem cell therapy, especially in lung diseases and tumor biology. A seasoned scholar, Dr. Chang earned his Ph.D. in Animal Genetics and Breeding before undertaking postdoctoral training at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is currently a respected editor of FEBS Letters and a leader in molecular oncology in China. His recent works highlight the role of CREPT, Smad signaling, and macrophage modulation in cancer and fibrosis. Through decades of academic and translational research, he has significantly advanced our understanding of cell communication in disease contexts. With an extensive publication record in top journals, Dr. Chang remains a leading figure in Asia’s biomedical research landscape.

Publication Profile: 

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. Pioneering Contributions in Cell Communication
    Prof. Chang’s research on CREPT, Smad proteins, NF-κB/Nrf2, and BMP signaling has directly advanced the understanding of how intracellular and intercellular communication impacts disease progression, especially in cancer and pulmonary disorders.

  2. High-Impact Publications
    He has numerous peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals such as Nature Communications, Molecular Cancer, Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, and Journal of Biological Chemistry, many of which explore molecular and cellular communication in cancer and tissue repair.

  3. Translational Focus
    His integration of mesenchymal stem cell therapy, extracellular vesicles, and gene therapy reflects a strong translational approach, applying basic science to therapeutic innovations—a critical criterion for this award.

  4. Scientific Leadership and Mentorship
    As a tenured professor at Tsinghua University and editor at FEBS Letters, Prof. Chang is a leader in biomedical research and scientific dissemination, actively contributing to academic growth and mentorship.

⚠️ Areas for Improvement:

  1. More Global Recognition
    While well-known in Chinese biomedical circles and respected internationally through publications, increased involvement in global consortia or leadership in international collaborations would further solidify his global scientific footprint.

  2. Public/Community Science Engagement
    Enhancing visibility through public lectures, science communication platforms, or policy advisory roles could broaden the societal impact of his work.

  3. Data-Sharing and Open Science Practices
    Encouraging or highlighting open-access datasets, repositories, or reproducible workflows would align with best practices in modern cell communication research.

🎓 Education:

Professor Zhijie Chang began his academic journey at Northwestern Agricultural University in Yangling, China, where he earned his B.Sc. (1978–1982) in Animal Science. He then continued at the same institution to obtain a combined M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Animal Genetics and Breeding from 1982 to 1989. His graduate research laid the foundation for his future in molecular biology, signaling studies, and genetics. Seeking international exposure and advanced training, he undertook postdoctoral research from March 1997 to October 1998 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA, in the Department of Pathology. There, he specialized in the BMP signaling pathway, gaining expertise in molecular signaling processes critical to cell communication. This blend of domestic and international education has equipped Dr. Chang with both the technical rigor and global perspective needed to pioneer breakthroughs in biomedical science.

💼 Professional Experience:

Professor Zhijie Chang has held a full professorship at Tsinghua University’s School of Medicine since June 2005, where he investigates cancer-related signaling mechanisms. Before this, he completed postdoctoral research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, focusing on BMP signaling, which strengthened his understanding of developmental and pathological cell signaling. Over the years, he has built a highly productive research lab, contributed extensively to translational medicine, and trained numerous doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. As an editor of FEBS Letters, he also contributes to scientific publishing and peer-review processes. His roles across academia, research, and editorial boards mark him as a multifaceted scientist whose work bridges laboratory insights and therapeutic applications. His collaborative style and consistent research funding reflect his leadership and innovation in molecular oncology and regenerative medicine.

🏅 Awards and Honors:

Professor Zhijie Chang has been recognized multiple times by the Chinese Cell Biology Society for his high-impact publications. In 2003, he received the First Merit Paper Award for his groundbreaking research on hSef-mediated MAPK signaling inhibition in J. Biol. Chem. In 2005, he earned the Third Merit Paper Award for his study on CHIP-mediated degradation of Smad proteins, published in Mol. Cell. Biol.. These awards underscore his early and sustained contributions to deciphering molecular signaling pathways involved in cell communication, differentiation, and oncogenesis. His recent recognitions include publications in top-tier journals like Nature Communications, Molecular Cancer, and Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, indicating the continued relevance and innovation of his work. His role as an editor for FEBS Letters further highlights his stature in the field and dedication to advancing cell biology research at national and international levels.

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Zhijie Chang’s research primarily investigates cellular communication in cancer and inflammatory diseases, with a focus on CREPT, Smad proteins, and extracellular vesicles. His work dissects how tumor-derived signals modulate the tumor microenvironment, metastasis, and immune cell behavior. He has made critical discoveries regarding the role of CREPT in chromatin looping and transcriptional regulation, especially in triple-negative breast cancer. In pulmonary fibrosis models, he has shown how umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) modulate macrophage activity via secreted vesicles. Another major area is his exploration of Smurf1, PDK1–Akt, and JAK/STAT3 signaling axes, targeting them for therapeutic intervention in various cancers. His translational approach integrates gene therapy, stem cell-based treatments, and protein signaling studies, bridging basic and clinical sciences. Through collaborative and interdisciplinary methods, Dr. Chang contributes valuable insights into how cells communicate and respond in disease settings.

📚 Publication Top Notes:

  1. 📘 CREPT is required for the metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer through a co-operational-chromatin loop-based gene regulation

  2. 🧪 Clinical investigation on nebulized human umbilical cord MSC-derived extracellular vesicles for pulmonary fibrosis treatment

  3. 🧬 Gene Therapy with Enterovirus 3C Protease: A Promising Strategy for Various Solid Tumors

  4. 🌬 Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells preferentially modulate macrophages to alleviate pulmonary fibrosis

  5. ⚡ CREPT upregulates the antioxidant genes via activation of NF-κB/Nrf2 in acute liver injury

  6. 🔁 An oncoprotein CREPT functions as a co-factor in MYC-driven transformation and tumor growth

  7. 🎯 Targeting Smurf1 to block PDK1–Akt signaling in KRAS-mutated colorectal cancer

  8. 📤 Microenvironment-induced CREPT expression by cancer-derived small extracellular vesicles primes field cancerization

  9. 🔋 Oxidative phosphorylation safeguards pluripotency via UDP-N-acetylglucosamine

  10. 🍄 Lachnochromonin, a fungal metabolite from Lachnum virgineum, inhibits cell growth and promotes apoptosis in tumor cells through JAK/STAT3 signaling

🧾 Conclusion:

Professor Zhijie Chang exhibits a robust and well-established career built on investigating mechanisms of cell signaling, tumor microenvironment dynamics, and intercellular communication. His scientific rigor, translational impact, and leadership in the field of cell communication make him an outstanding candidate for the Research for Cell Communication Award. Addressing some broader outreach and open science practices could further elevate his profile, but his contributions to foundational and applied research in this domain are already exemplary.