Alexandre Fagnan, a post-doctoral fellow in oncology, won the 2021 Bettencourt Prize for Young Researchers for his work on leukemia stem cells.

To differentiate or not to differentiate: the genetic dilemma of leukemia

Stem cells in bone marrow generate different kinds of mature blood cells ready to perform functions such as defending our body or carrying oxygen. To differentiate normally into mature cells, the reading of genes in their DNA is strictly controlled.

However, errors can occur in the stem cells’ DNA, which in some cases can lead to the development of cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia. In this case, leukemia stem cell differentiation is blocked. They build up and replace mature cells but are unable to fulfill their function.

The GATA2 protein and bone marrow stem cell differentiation

During his post-doctoral fellowship in Oxford, Alexandre Fagnan will focus on why leukemia stem cells fail to differentiate properly.

He will study the GATA2 protein, which regulates the reading of genes that play a key role in bone marrow stem cell differentiation. Dr. Fagnan will evaluate how changes in this protein identified in acute myeloid leukemia affect the reading of stem cell genes, and thus their maturation. He will study alterations in GATA2 partner proteins and their effects on gene reading to generate a complete map of the changes occurring in the stem cells.

This will allow him to better understand how stem cells differentiate into mature cells and to suggest therapeutic targets that could modify gene reading in the context of leukemia.

Alexandre Fagnan in a few words

Alexandre Fagnan has an advanced technical certificate and a professional degree in biotechnology (ENCPB). He was selected for the European Genetics Magisterium (Université Paris Diderot), where he obtained a master's degree in genetics after interning at various institutes in the United Kingdom, the United States and France.

Dr. Fagnan has been interested in leukemia for several years. For his PhD work in Thomas Mercher’s laboratory at the Institut Gustave Roussy, he studied a rare form of acute myeloid leukemia called erythroleukemia. To better understand the disease, Dr. Fagnan examines the reading of the genes of patients' cells. He identifies specific features of erythroleukemia that distinguish these patients from people with other types of leukemia. By manipulating some of the identified targets, he produces erythroleukemia in mice, which provides him with a better understanding of the disease’s mechanisms and helps him identify therapeutic targets to improve patient treatment.

During his post-doctoral fellowship in the United Kingdom, he will continue studying the mechanisms responsible for the emergence and maintenance of leukemia cells.

Bettencourt Prize for Young Researchers

Created in 1990, the Bettencourt Prize for Young Researchers is one of the first initiatives of the Fondation Bettencourt Schueller. Until 2021, this prize was awarded each year to 14 young doctors of science or doctors of medicine, to enable them to carry out their post-doctoral stay in the best foreign laboratories. 349 young researchers were distinguished. The prize endowment was €25,000.

All the award-winners