Brain function depends on the coordinated interactions between different cell types at the molecular, cellular, and network levels. Throughout my research career, I have explored the complexity of cellular interactions at the network level by studying the modulation of neuronal network activity in both physiological and pathological conditions. During my PhD, I focused on neuronal network activity in the context of neuroregeneration. After completing my PhD, I joined Nathalie Rouach’s laboratory at the Collège de France, where I conducted research on the role of astrocytes in regulating physiological and pathological network activity in live brain tissues from mice and humans. This research revealed a crucial role for astroglial connexin and pannexin channels in orchestrating patterns of neuronal network activity and synchronization in mice, as well as epileptic activity in mice and human tissues from patients with epilepsy. To achieve this, I established in the laboratory multi-electrode array recordings of mouse hippocampal slices and human cortical slices derived from postoperative tissue obtained following surgical resection in patients with epilepsy. In particular, I demonstrated that Px1 channels control seizure generation in humans with various forms of epilepsy. I am currently investigating the role of astrocytes in human epilepsy to identify alternative targets for epilepsy treatments.
