Françoise Barré-Sinoussi

Françoise Barré-Sinoussi
Born (1947-07-30) 30 July 1947
Paris, France
Nationality French
Fields Virology
Institutions Pasteur Institute
Alma mater University of Paris
Known for Discovering HIV
Notable awards 2008 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

Françoise Barré-Sinoussi (French pronunciation: [fʁɑ̃swaz baʁesinusi]; born 30 July 1947) is a French virologist and director of the Regulation of Retroviral Infections Division (Unité de Régulation des Infections Rétrovirales) at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, France. Born in Paris, France, Barré-Sinoussi performed some of the fundamental work in the identification of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as the cause of AIDS. In 2008, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, together with her former mentor, Luc Montagnier, for their discovery of HIV.[1] She mandatorily retired from active research on August 31, 2015 and will fully retire by some time in 2017.[2]

Academic career

The human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1), and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Barré-Sinoussi joined the Pasteur Institute in Paris in the early 1970s. She received her PhD in 1975 and interned at the U.S. National Institutes of Health before returning to the Pasteur Institute. Barré-Sinoussi's research quickly turned to a particular group of viruses, the retroviruses. Her knowledge in this field led her to discover HIV in 1983. This discovery revealed an urgent need for diagnostic tests to aid in controlling the spread of the disease. Barré-Sinoussi started her own laboratory at the Pasteur Institute in 1988.

Among Barré-Sinoussi's many recent research contributions are studies of various aspects of the adaptive immune response to viral infection,[3][4] the role of innate immune defences of the host in controlling HIV/AIDS,[5] factors involved in mother-to-child transmission of HIV,[6] and characteristics that allow a small percentage of HIV-positive individuals, known as elite suppressors or controllers, to limit HIV replication without antiretroviral drugs.[7][8] She has co-authored over 240 scientific publications, has participated in over 250 international conferences, and has trained many young researchers.

Barré-Sinoussi has actively contributed to several scientific societies and committees at the Institut Pasteur as well as to other AIDS organizations, such as the National Agency for AIDS Research in France. She has also been implicated at an international level, notably as a consultant to the WHO and the UNAIDS-HIV.

Since the 1980s, Barré-Sinoussi has initiated collaborations with developing countries whereby she has managed multidisciplinary networks with dedication. She constantly works on establishing permanent links between basic research and clinical research with the aim of achieving concrete improvements in the areas of prevention, clinical care, and treatment.[9]

In 2009, she wrote an open letter to Pope Benedict XVI in protest over his statements that condoms are at best ineffective in the AIDS crisis.[10]

In July 2012 Barré-Sinoussi became President of the International AIDS Society.

Awards

Barré-Sinoussi shared the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Luc Montagnier for their co-discovery of HIV, and with Harald zur Hausen, who discovered the viral cause of cervical cancer that led to the development of the HPV vaccine.

In addition to the Nobel Prize, Barré-Sinoussi has received awards including:

Barré-Sinoussi was named an Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour (Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur) in 2006 and was raised to Commander in 2009. She was promoted to the dignity of Grand Officer in 2013.[12]

She received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Tulane University in May 2009, and an honorary Doctor of Medicine from the University of New South Wales in July 2014.

References

  1. ↑ "Nobel prize for viral discoveries". BBC News. 6 October 2008.
  2. ↑ "HIV discoverer: 'To develop a cure is almost impossible'". CNN. 23 July 2015.
  3. ↑ Petitjean, G. L.; Chevalier, M. F.; Tibaoui, F.; Didier, C. L.; Manea, M. E.; Liovat, A. S.; Campa, P.; Müller-Trutwin, M.; Girard, P. M.; Meyer, L.; Barré-Sinoussi, F. O.; Scott-Algara, D.; Weiss, L. (2012). "Level of double negative T cells, which produce TGF-β and IL-10, predicts CD8 T-cell activation in primary HIV-1 infection". AIDS. 26 (2): 139–148. doi:10.1097/QAD.0b013e32834e1484. PMID 22045342.
  4. ↑ Delobel, P.; Nugeyre, M. -T.; Cazabat, M.; Sandres-Sauné, K.; Pasquier, C.; Cuzin, L.; Marchou, B.; Massip, P.; Cheynier, R.; Barré-Sinoussi, F.; Izopet, J.; Israël, N. (2006). "Naive T-Cell Depletion Related to Infection by X4 Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 in Poor Immunological Responders to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy". Journal of Virology. 80 (20): 10229–10236. doi:10.1128/JVI.00965-06. PMC 1617280Freely accessible. PMID 17005700.
  5. ↑ Liovat, A. S.; Jacquelin, B.; Ploquin, M. J.; Barré-Sinoussi, F.; Müller-Trutwin, M. C. (2009). "African non human primates infected by SIV - why don't they get sick? Lessons from studies on the early phase of non-pathogenic SIV infection". Current HIV research. 7 (1): 39–50. doi:10.2174/157016209787048546. PMID 19149553.
  6. ↑ Marlin, R.; Nugeyre, M. T. R. S.; Duriez, M.; Cannou, C.; Le Breton, A.; Berkane, N.; Barré-Sinoussi, F. O.; Menu, E. (2011). "Decidual soluble factors participate in the control of HIV-1 infection at the maternofetal interface". Retrovirology. 8: 58. doi:10.1186/1742-4690-8-58. PMC 3156730Freely accessible. PMID 21767373.
  7. ↑ Saez-Cirion, A.; Hamimi, C.; Bergamaschi, A.; David, A.; Versmisse, P.; Mélard, A.; Boufassa, F.; Barré-Sinoussi, F.; Lambotte, O.; Rouzioux, C.; Pancino, G.; Anrs Co18, C. (2011). "Restriction of HIV-1 replication in macrophages and CD4+ T cells from HIV controllers". Blood. 118 (4): 955–964. doi:10.1182/blood-2010-12-327106. PMC 3148172Freely accessible. PMID 21642597.
  8. ↑ Saez-Cirion, A.; Sinet, M.; Shin, S. Y.; Urrutia, A.; Versmisse, P.; Lacabaratz, C.; Boufassa, F.; Avettand-Fènoël, V.; Rouzioux, C.; Delfraissy, J. -F.; Barré-Sinoussi, F.; Lambotte, O.; Venet, A.; Pancino, G.; ANRS EP36 HIV Controllers Study Group (2009). "Heterogeneity in HIV Suppression by CD8 T Cells from HIV Controllers: Association with Gag-Specific CD8 T Cell Responses". The Journal of Immunology. 182 (12): 7828–7837. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.0803928. PMID 19494307.
  9. ↑ WITI Hall of Fame
  10. ↑ Lettre ouverte à Benoît XVI
  11. ↑ Asia Leadership Center, Biography
  12. ↑ Morocco World News

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