The 2020 Bettencourt Prize for Young Researchers was awarded to Karen Aymonnier, post-doctoral fellow in immunology, for her research on blood cell interactions.

Understanding blood cell interactions: the promise of new therapeutic approaches

Inflammation is the body's immune response to external aggression. During an infection, white blood cells called neutrophils become activated to form a physical and chemical barrier against pathogens. They can produce dense extracellular DNA and protein networks, which promote blood clotting and inflammation.Dr. Aymonnier is working on the interactions between neutrophil networks and platelets, small blood cells that also participate in blood coagulation. During her post-doctoral research in a cellular medicine laboratory in Boston, she will study the cellular mechanisms that lead neutrophils to form extracellular networks, thus forming the blood clots that cause thrombosis. She will use state-of-the-art imaging equipment to study the specific role of the NLRP3 inflammasome, a protein complex that activates inflammatory responses in neutrophil-platelet interactions.Her research will help to refine medical knowledge about inflammatory diseases in general and the risk of thrombosis in particular.“Understanding cellular activation mechanisms to reduce cardiovascular disease is the main goal of my research.” Karen Aymonnier

Karen Aymonnier in a few words

Karen Aymonnier specializes in immunology and hematology. As a trained biologist, she developed a passionate interest in the interactions between inflammation and coagulation. Her thesis focused on developing an innovative way to target a natural anticoagulant in platelets, the protease nexin-1 (PN-1). This inhibitor plays a key role in preventing coagulation in hemophiliacs. Dr. Aymonnier has opened up new prospects in the treatment of hemorrhagic diseases.

Her work in hematology has drawn notice and appeared in recognized publications and talks. The project has been patented to better control bleeding in hemophiliacs.

As a post-doctoral fellow and for the rest of her career, she wants to develop translational inflammation and coagulation research programs.

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