Pasteur Institute

The Pasteur Institute (French: Institut Pasteur) is a French non-profit private foundation dedicated to the study of biology, microorganisms, diseases and vaccines. It is named after Louis Pasteur, its founder and first director and who, in 1885 had successfully developed the first antirabies serum. It was founded in June 4th, 1887 and inaugurated in November 14th, 1888.

Research Centers

The Pasteur Institute Paris has twelve research departments:

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• Structural biology and Chemistry
• Structure and Dynamic of Genomes
• Fundamental and Medical Microbiology
• Microbial Pathogenesis
• Cell biology and Infection
• Virology
• Parasitology
• Developmental biology
• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Molecular medicine
• Ecosystems and Epidemiology of Infectious diseases

In addition to the isolation of HIV-1 and HIV-2, in the recent past researchers at the Pasteur Institute have developed a test for the early detection of colon cancer, produced a genetically engineered vaccine against hepatitis B and a rapid diagnostic test for the detection of the Helicobacter pylori bacterium which is implicated in the formation of stomach ulcers. Other research in progress includes the study of cancer and specifically the investigation of the role of oncogenes, the identification of tumor markers for diagnostic tests and the development of new treatments. One area of particular interest is the study of human papilloma viruses (HPV) and their role in cervical cancers. Researchers are currently focusing on the development of various vaccines against many diseases including AIDS, malaria, dengue and the Shigella bacterium.

Related Topics:
HIV-1 - HIV-2 - Colon cancer - Genetically engineered - Helicobacter pylori - Bacterium - Stomach ulcers - Cancer - Oncogene - Tumor marker - HPV - Cervical cancer - Malaria - Dengue - Shigella

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Currently, an extensive line of research aims at determining the complete genome sequences of several organisms of medical importance, in the hope of finding new therapeutic approaches. The Institute has contributed to genome-sequencing projects of the common yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, an organism which was so important for Louis Pasteur's history), completed in 1996, Bacillus subtilis completed in 1997, Mycobacterium tuberculosis completed in 1998.

Related Topics:
Genome - Yeast - Saccharomyces cerevisiae - Bacillus subtilis - Mycobacterium tuberculosis

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