Sonia Dufour

The objective of my PhD is to better understand the role of protein translation and of the mTOR pathway just after fertilization in the sea urchin embryo. Indeed, in this organism, fertilization immediately triggers protein translation which is essential for cell division and subsequent embryonic development. However, although it has been shown that activation of protein synthesis is under the control of the mTOR pathway, little is known about the specific contributions of translation and mTOR signaling to the many biological processes participating in the egg-to-embryo transition. Focusing on lysosome biogenesis, we are seeking to unravel the translational network activated by fertilization.

Professional experiences:

2021-2024 PhD thesis : Station Biologique de Roscoff – Director : Fernando Roch

2021 Master 2 thesis (6 months): “New insight into the role of the mTOR pathway

during the sea urchin egg-to-embryo transition” – Station Biologique de Roscoff – Supervisor: Fernando Roch

2020 Master 1 internship (2 months): « Role of the translation initiation factor eIF4B in fertilization induced cell cycle progression in the sea urchin embryo” – Station Biologique de Roscoff – Supervisor: Patrick Cormier

2020 Internship (2 months): « Role of the Pou3f4 transcription factor during development of the pronephros in Xenopus laevis” – Station Biologique de Roscoff – Supervisor: Ronan Le Bouffant

Education:

 2019-2021 Master Degree in molecular and cellular biology specialized in Developmental biology Sorbonne Université, Paris

2016-2019 Bachelor degree in Sciences, Technology and Health specialized in Life sciences Sorbonne Université, Paris

2015-2016 First year of medicine school Université Pierre et Marie Curie