Translational Research Unit

The Translational Research Unit has been created by the ICM in 2013 in order to centralize translational activities.

The first expertise of the URT is the work on human biological specimens. Particularly, URT can select i) the cohort of patient of interest based on clinical criteria through the analysis of the computerized medical record, ii) tumour material by using macrodissection or microdissection starting from FFPE specimens.

The second field of expertise is the analysis of nucleic acids coming from challenging clinical samples. Various methodologies to detect germline polymorphisms or somatic mutations have been implemented as for example: screening approaches such as high resolution melting, or targeted technologies such as pyrosequencing or droplet digital PCR. Quantitative analysis of nucleic acids can be performed based on the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or the multiplex ligation probe assay. Epigenetic analyses such as determination of methylation profiles are also carried out.

URT has also an expertise in mass spectrometry. Particularly, this approach is used for protein identification and quantification (ABSCiex Triple Tof 5600 and Advion LESA). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is also mastered with more than 130 antibodies validated and IHC optimization can be performed for commercially available or custom antibodies.  Finally, thanks to a partnership with a diagnosis company, URT has an expertise in time resolved fluorescence energy transfer (TR-FRET) and developed assays for the qualitative analysis of nucleic acids, the characterization of protein/protein (dimerization profiles) or protein/nucleic acid interaction.

The main missions of the URT are:

• to propose and perform translational research projects validated by the internal committee of translational research, within the framework of a collaboration or under a service delivery,
• to propose and perform ancillary studies validated by the internal committee of clinical research,
• to monitor technological developments to increase its fields of expertise.

Located on the ICM campus, the URT benefits from a dynamic research environment favorable to interaction between clinicians and researchers.

See also: www.icm.unicancer.fr/recherche translationnelle

Manager: Evelyne Crapez: evelyne.crapez@icm.unicancer.fr

URT implements projects validated by the ICM’s Translational Research Committee (CORT). The CORT is responsible for evaluating and validating all requests for translational research projects from clinicians, researchers, public or private organizations. This committee is made up of members representing the different players in translational research at the ICM and the IRCM and meets on average once a month.

Head of the CORT: Pr William Jacot: william.jacot@icm.unicancer.fr