The Bettencourt Prize for Young Researchers 2018 rewards Oriane Turrel, post-doctoral researcher in neuroscience, for her research on changes in synaptic structure involved in memory.

Better understand the creation of memories

Oriane Turrel wishes to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the formation and modification of the structure of the synapse during the creation of memories.

Her doctorate led her to discover in the Drosophila fly, several neuropeptides that act in concert for the correct constitution of an olfactory memory. His post-doctorate focuses on aging, which affects Drosophila memory by stiffening synaptic plasticity. The phenomenon, known as RAM-UP, is characterized by an enlargement of the synapse, which can be countered by pharmacological protection. The work of the young researcher will help to better understand this process.

Oriane Turrel in a few words

THESIS: "Neuropeptides and Neprilysins: role in memory in Drosophila", under the direction of Doctor Valérie Goguel, Graduate School of Industrial Physics and Chemistry (Paris), Doctoral School Brain - cognition - behavior (3C) - Specialty Neurosciences, Pierre University and Marie Curie.

POST DOCTORATE : “Age-related memory defect: a biological and medical challenge”, under the supervision of Doctor Stephan Sigrist, Institut für Biologie, Freie Universität (Berlin).

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