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Institutes/ Institute of environmental biology and biotechnology (IBEB)/ Services iBEB/ Department of biochemistry and nuclear toxicology (SBTN)/ Presentation

Presentation

Ine goal of our research unit is to explain the effects of toxic compounds at the finest molecular level, by using the most-advanced methods and concepts of post-genomics. The researchers of SBTN isolate and characterize protein targets of toxic metals -particularly those involved in the nuclear industry- or multi-protein complexes associated to the repair of DNA damages. The impact of toxicants is studied at several levels of regulation (transcriptomics, proteomics, sub-cellular localization, intermolecular interactions) to provide toxicological models with novel data.

In parallel, we also study some important proteins, which are revealed by either bioinformatic analysis of the human genome or geno-proteomic approaches, but whose structure and/or functions are unknown. Our complete post-genomic platform allows us to access to recombinant forms of these proteins in addition to a large set of analytical tools (tagged proteins, antibodies, biophysics). In fact, this technical orientation combined with the culture of multi-disciplinarity in protein science form the core of the competence of SBTN.



Our technical skills also serve many partnerships with companies. In this respect, the ISO9001:2000 certified project-based organization of SBTN is noteworthy since it offer garanties to our partners in terms of cost and delay management without impairing scientific creativity.

By its missions, its skills, and its policy of opening, the SBTN is active in many research networks (Génopole Languedoc-Roussillon, BiotechNimes, ANVAR, ToxNuc, Institut du Biodiagnostic, GDR "AFM en biologie") as well in university teaching (Université Montpellier 1, Centre Universitaire de Nimes, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle).