• Thematic field of study: Unraveling the Complexity of the Tumor Microenvironment
• Supervisor(s): Prof Asma GATI
• Contact details: asma.gati@fst.utm.tn

Summary of Hosting Lab

Conducting Multidisciplinary Research in Cancer and Multifactorial Diseases:
Engaging in comprehensive research across various disciplines, including molecular and population genetics, immunology, epigenetics, and bioinformatics, our endeavors are dedicated to achieving the following objectives:
1. Oncogenetics Consultation Implementation:
– Establishing an oncogenetic consultation service to identify high-risk mutations in familial cancers.
– Providing crucial genetic counseling to affected families.
2. Pharmacogenetic Marker Investigation:
– Exploring pharmacogenetic markers at both germinal and tumoral levels.
– Predicting treatment responses to facilitate informed decision-making in patient management and personalized therapy.
3. Identification and Characterization of Therapeutic Targets:
– Identifying and characterizing new molecules and therapeutic targets within the realm of cancers.
-Contributing to the development of innovative approaches in cancer treatment.

4. Risk Modeling of Multifactorial Diseases:
– Modeling the risk associated with the development of multifactorial diseases.
– Enhancing our understanding of the complex interplay of factors contributing to disease onset.

5. Characterizing Tumor Microenvironment Complexity:
– Delving into the intricate complexity of the tumor microenvironment.
-Gaining insights into the factors influencing cancer progression and response to treatment.

Project Description

Conducting Multidisciplinary Research in Cancer and Multifactorial Diseases:
Engaging in comprehensive research across various disciplines, including molecular and population genetics, immunology, epigenetics, and bioinformatics, our endeavors are dedicated to achieving the following objectives:
1. Oncogenetics Consultation Implementation:
– Establishing an oncogenetic consultation service to identify high-risk mutations in familial cancers.
– Providing crucial genetic counseling to affected families.
2. Pharmacogenetic Marker Investigation:
– Exploring pharmacogenetic markers at both germinal and tumoral levels.
– Predicting treatment responses to facilitate informed decision-making in patient management and personalized therapy.
3. Identification and Characterization of Therapeutic Targets:
– Identifying and characterizing new molecules and therapeutic targets within the realm of cancers.
-Contributing to the development of innovative approaches in cancer treatment.

4. Risk Modeling of Multifactorial Diseases:
– Modeling the risk associated with the development of multifactorial diseases.
– Enhancing our understanding of the complex interplay of factors contributing to disease onset.

5. Characterizing Tumor Microenvironment Complexity:
– Delving into the intricate complexity of the tumor microenvironment.
-Gaining insights into the factors influencing cancer progression and response to treatment.

Major Lab techniques

Immuno Assays, Flow cytometry, ELISA, Fluorescence microscopy, Quantitative PCR Fluorescent
microsphere handling, Collaborative research, Documentation and reporting, Data analysis

• Thematic field of study: Neurophysiology Cellular Physiopathology and Biomoelcuels valorisation
• Supervisor(s): Prof Olfa Masmoudi
• Contact details: olfa.masmoudi@fst.utm.tn

Summary of Hosting Lab

Laboratory of Neurophysiology Cellular Physiopathology and Biomoelcuels valorization
1. Characterizing Neuroprotective Effects:
– Investigating the neuroprotective effects of phyto-compounds, food lipids, and neuropeptide analogues during brain development.
– Exploring their therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative diseases, with a specific focus on conditions like Parkinson’s disease.

2. Identifying Targeted Bioactive Compounds:
– Identifying bioactive compounds and neuropeptide analogs capable of efficiently targeting damaged brain regions.
-Ensuring specificity to avoid unintended effects on peripheral organs.
3. Characterizing Action of Therapeutic Molecules:
– Conducting a detailed characterization of the action of therapeutic molecules.
-Utilizing cellular models such as " neuronal cell culture; primary culture of neuron and glial cells" as well as animal models.
4. Developing protocols for future innovative therapeutics based on insights gained from these characterizations.

• Thematic field of study: Modeling, Statistical Reliability, and Stochastic Analysis
• Supervisor(s): Prof Saloua Aouadi
• Contact details: saloua.mani@fst.utm.tn

Summary of Hosting Lab

Laboratory of Mathematical Modeling, Statistical Reliability, and Stochastic Analysis
1. Research Areas:
 Specializing in modeling, analysis, and scientific computation involving integral, ordinary differential, or partial differential equations, as well as random processes.
2. Key Themes of Research:
 Reliability and maintenance.
 Fixed-point theory and applications.
 Optimization and convexity.
 Fluid mechanics.
 Nonlinear elasticity.
3. Collaboration and Objectives:
 Prioritizing collaboration with the socio-economic sector.
 Addressing a diverse range of applications, particularly in random and deterministic modeling.
 Applications extend to monitoring, failure analysis, and maintenance of systems in engineering, medicine, biology, signal processing, and other fields. OMAD is a research unit dedicated to advancing knowledge in optimization, modeling, and decision support, with a strong emphasis on practical applications and collaboration with the socio-economic sector.

• Thematic field of study: Transmission, Control, and Immunobiology of Infections.
• Supervisor(s): Prof Pr. Makram Essafi
• Contact details: makram.essafi@pasteur.tn

Summary of Hosting Lab

Laboratory of Transmission, Control, and Immunobiology of Infections
1. Characterization of Host Innate Immune Response in TB: Investigating the role of the host innate immune response in establishing an effective adaptive immune response against Tuberculosis (TB).
2. Improving BCG Vaccine for TB Prevention/Treatment: Utilizing data insights to work on the development of enhanced versions of the BCG vaccine.
3. Mechanisms of Mtb Virulent Factors: Studying the evasion mechanisms employed by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) virulent factors, with a focus on the ESAT-6/CFP10 complex.
4. Collaborations for Advanced TB Diagnosis Tools:
– Actively engaging in intramural and international collaborations.
– Contributing to the development of more efficient tools for Tuberculosis diagnosis.
5. Utilizing biosensors and advanced algorithms to advance diagnostic methods in the fight against TB.

• Thematic field of study: Artificial Intelligence and Data Sciences for Innovation
• Supervisor(s): Prof Pr. Zoghlami Nesrine
• Contact details: nesrine.zoghlami@ipeiem.utm.tn

Summary of Hosting Lab

Research Areas: Pandemic Prediction, Crises Management, Military Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Optimization, Scheduling, Operations Management, SCM, Operations Research, Sustainable Supply Management, Sustainable Development Applications: Healthcare, Transport, Logistics, Production Management, Industrial Management, Production Engineering, Network Optimization.