About the lecture
Purinergic signaling plays a key role in regulating the functioning of the nervous system. In addition to its primary function in energy metabolism, ATP also plays the role of an extracellular signaling molecule, which may act through the P2X receptors. These receptors participate in the regulation of neuronal activity, synaptic transmission, neuronal plasticity and neuroinflammatory processes.
During the lecture, Prof. Eric Boué-Grabot will present the molecular mechanisms of action of the P2X receptors, their importance in brain physiology and the role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders. He will also present contemporary directions of research on purinergic signaling and the possibilities of using the P2X receptors as potential therapeutic targets.
When and where
The lecture will be held on 16 November 2026 at 11 a.m. in room 23 at the Library and Information Center WUM.
The lecture will be held in English.
About the speaker
Prof. Eric Boué-Grabot is an internationally renowned researcher in purinergic neurobiology and signaling with more than 25 years of scientific experience. He obtained his doctoral degree at the University of Bordeaux and completed a postdoctoral internship at the Montreal Neurological Institute at McGill University in Canada.
Since 2000, he has been affiliated with the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS – Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique). Currently, he is the deputy director of the Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives (IMN) in Bordeaux and supervises the Purinergic-mediated Inflammation and Brain Disorders research team. He is also the research director of the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS).
His scientific interests include the molecular mechanisms of P2X receptor regulation, their interactions with the synaptic receptors, and the importance of purinergic signaling in neuronal plasticity, neuroinflammation, and brain diseases. In his research, he uses advanced electrophysiological techniques, cellular and molecular biology, and genetically modified animal models.
He authored over 50 scientific publications and co-created international patents. He is also a founding member and treasurer of the French Purine Club, actively supporting the development of international scientific cooperation in the field of research on purinergic signaling.
The lecture is hosted by the Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine WUM, headed by Prof. Magdalena Kucia.