photographist

«Ever since I was a little girl, I've been interested in how the brain works, as my older sister suffered from a monosomal chromosomal disorder. My interest in neuroscience grew stronger as I progressed in my studies. I began with a scientific baccalaureate, followed by a degree in biochemistry-molecular-cell biology & physiology. I really liked the field of neuroscience and went on to do a master's degree in biomedical sciences, with a specialization in neuroscience. I did my M1 and M2 internships in a laboratory working on foetal alcohol syndrome. Supported by this laboratory, I was awarded a disability doctoral grant by the University of Rouen, and did my thesis there too. I was looking for placental biomarkers of fetal brain damage following prenatal alcohol exposure, which led me to work on angiogenesis during my thesis.

During fetal development, angiogenesis enables the establishment of the cerebral vascular network. In children exposed to alcohol in utero, abnormalities in angiogenesis are observed, which have an impact on cerebral development. In Europe, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) affects one child per 1,000 births. It is therefore important not only to prevent the disease, but also to better identify those children exposed to alcohol in utero who are at risk of developing disorders. The problem is that these disorders appear progressively and are often diagnosed late, at around 5-6 years of age. My problem is to look for placental biomarkers from birth, so as to be able to identify these children at an early stage and take care of them as soon as possible, in order to limit potential neurodevelopmental disorders. Indeed, cerebral plasticity is strong in newborns, and the potential for recovery is high.»

Camille Sautreuil,
Study engineer, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Rouen

next