PhD Student
Plasma homocysteine (Hcy) concentration, an amino acid involved in one-carbon metabolism (OCM), increases with age and constitutes a risk factor for various neurodegenerative diseases. Homocysteine can bind to proteins through a mechanism known as N-homocysteinylation (N-Hcy), which can lead to the loss of function and aggregation of the modified protein. We recently demonstrated that (1) patients with Huntington’s disease (HD) exhibit elevated Hcy levels associated with alterations in OCM and (2) N-Hcy of huntingtin represents an aggravating risk factor in HD in terms of the age of onset and severity of symptoms. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, we propose to: (1) analyze, by mass spectrometry, the N-homocysteinylated proteome in fibroblasts derived from our cohort of HD patients; (2) investigate the consequences of these modifications on these cells; and (3) test de-homocysteinylation strategies. The development of novel biomarkers targeting N-homocysteinylated proteins and de-homocysteinylation strategies could open new perspectives for HD, as well as for other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Teaching activities at IDMC, Nancy (33 hours of tutorials), and at the Faculty of Speech and Language Therapy, Nancy (9 hours of lectures).
EDUCATION
2026: University Diploma (DU) in Animal Experimentation – Designer Level
Since October 2025: PhD in Neuroscience
2024–2025: Master’s Degree in Life Sciences, specialization in Neuro- and Applied Physiology
Faculty of Science and Technology – Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
2023–2024: Master’s Degree in Biology and Health, specialization in Neuroscience
Faculty of Science – Montpellier, France
2020–2023: Bachelor’s Degree in Life Sciences
Faculty of Science and Technology – Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2025
Master’s Internship – 6 months
UMRS INSERM 1256 NGERE – Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
Project: Consequences of huntingtin N-homocysteinylation in Huntington’s disease pathophysiology
Cell culture (patient-derived skin fibroblasts)
Techniques: RT-qPCR, DuoLink®, Proteostat®, immunofluorescence, oxidative stress analysis, LC-MS/MS
2024
Master’s Internship – 6 months
IGF (Institute of Functional Genomics) – Montpellier, France
Project: Modulation of affective and social touch by the dopaminergic system
Animal experimentation
Techniques: Chemogenetics and fiber photometry, assessment of social behaviors and tactile stimulus valence
