Welcome to the M2ISH laboratory,
Microbes, Intestine, Inflammation, and Host Susceptibility.


Welcome to the M2ISH laboratory,
Microbes, Intestine, Inflammation, and Host Susceptibility.

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Presentation of the M2iSH Laboratory

A constant dialogue exists in the intestine between the microbiota and host cells. With the molecular characterization of bacterial pathobionts and the data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on various pathologies, it has become clear that there is a parallel evolution of pathobionts and hosts.

For more than twenty years, the M2iSH unit has been studying the interaction between host cells and bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli pathobionts associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), especially Crohn's disease (CD), a chronic inflammation of the intestine characterized by an overactivation of the immune system, and colorectal cancer (CRC).

It is now well established that abnormal inflammatory responses require an interaction between host genetic susceptibility and the intestinal microbiota. Several lines of evidence support the notion that Crohn's disease results from an excessive immune response against commensal organisms or intestinal pathobionts.

We were pioneers in reporting that the ileal mucosa of patients with CD is abnormally colonized by adherent-invasive E. coli (AIEC). We have investigated how these bacteria might be involved in the onset or recurrence of CD in genetically predisposed patients. Moreover, as a potential link between chronic inflammation and cancer may exist, we have opened a new research field concerning the role of colibactin-producing E. coli (CoPEC) in the development of colorectal cancer and their potential as biomarkers to improve patient management.

In this context, our previous research projects have focused on:
(i) the characterization of E. coli strains associated with Crohn's disease and colorectal cancer,
(ii) the host-bacteria dialogue at the intestinal mucosa,
(iii) the development of innovative diagnostic tools and therapies.

Our current research projects are structured around three interactive research axes:

  • Axis 1: Study of the virulence and antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli pathobionts involved in chronic intestinal diseases, such as Crohn's disease and colorectal cancer (Thematic Leader: Richard Bonnet).
  • Axis 2: Analysis of host responses to infection by E. coli pathobionts involved in chronic intestinal pathologies (Thematic Leaders: Hang Nguyen and Jérémy Denizot).
  • Axis 3: Development of new biomarkers and innovative personalized therapies (Thematic Leaders: Mathilde Bonnet and Anthony Buisson).


Presentation of the M2iSH Laboratory

A constant dialogue exists in the intestine between the microbiota and host cells. With the molecular characterization of bacterial pathobionts and the data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on various pathologies, it has become clear that there is a parallel evolution of pathobionts and hosts.

For more than twenty years, the M2iSH unit has been studying the interaction between host cells and bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli pathobionts associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), especially Crohn's disease (CD), a chronic inflammation of the intestine characterized by an overactivation of the immune system, and colorectal cancer (CRC).

It is now well established that abnormal inflammatory responses require an interaction between host genetic susceptibility and the intestinal microbiota. Several lines of evidence support the notion that Crohn's disease results from an excessive immune response against commensal organisms or intestinal pathobionts.

We were pioneers in reporting that the ileal mucosa of patients with CD is abnormally colonized by adherent-invasive E. coli (AIEC). We have investigated how these bacteria might be involved in the onset or recurrence of CD in genetically predisposed patients. Moreover, as a potential link between chronic inflammation and cancer may exist, we have opened a new research field concerning the role of colibactin-producing E. coli (CoPEC) in the development of colorectal cancer and their potential as biomarkers to improve patient management.

In this context, our previous research projects have focused on:
(i) the characterization of E. coli strains associated with Crohn's disease and colorectal cancer,
(ii) the host-bacteria dialogue at the intestinal mucosa,
(iii) the development of innovative diagnostic tools and therapies.

Our current research projects are structured around three interactive research axes:

  • Axis 1: Study of the virulence and antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli pathobionts involved in chronic intestinal diseases, such as Crohn's disease and colorectal cancer (Thematic Leader: Richard Bonnet).
  • Axis 2: Analysis of host responses to infection by E. coli pathobionts involved in chronic intestinal pathologies (Thematic Leaders: Hang Nguyen and Jérémy Denizot).
  • Axis 3: Development of new biomarkers and innovative personalized therapies (Thematic Leaders: Mathilde Bonnet and Anthony Buisson).