UMR TBIP CIIL

The TBIP team's research focuses on :

• the study of zoonoses and their role in the transmission, maintenance and emergence of infectious diseases (assessment of health risks, identification of animal reservoirs or hosts of pathogenic micro-organisms)
• the study of host-parasite interactions and virulence factors and mechanisms of protection or aggravation during infection (consequences for the course of infection, study of immune responses, impact of co-infections, biomarker research, etc.).
• Contributing to the region's needs in terms of diagnostic tools (setting up diagnostic tools adapted to local specificities).

AIRFUNGUI
(Airborne fungi of French Guiana: biodiversity, seasonal dynamics and influence of meteorological factors).
The aim of this project is to study airborne fungal biodiversity in French Guiana in order to establish epidemiological surveillance of risk factors for respiratory diseases and pollution episodes. The study will use innovative technologies such as environmental DNA metabarcoding and artificial intelligence.

DEVOD
(Development of diagnostic tools).
The aim of this project is to set up diagnostic tools based on multiplex real-time PCR, the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) and biosensors. These tools, tailored to the specific features of the region, are intended for use by healthcare facilities to enable them to carry out diagnostic tests locally.

ICM_C
(Study of the mechanisms of contamination of venous catheters in hospitals).
The aim of this project is to study the bacterial skin microbiota of intensive care patients, using regular skin samples analysed using microbiology and metagenomics. The hypothesis put forward is that intensive care destabilises this microbiota (resulting in dysbiosis), leading to the appearance of pathogenic bacteria and nosocomial infections.

Collared peccaries
Peccaries, an integral part of the wildlife of French Guiana and Amazonia, are a food source deeply rooted in the culture of local populations. In order to reconcile the preservation of wild fauna with respect for local practices, the development of a breeding industry is increasingly becoming a necessity. To ensure the health safety of farms and consumers, it is necessary to have the necessary monitoring tools. The aim of this project is (1) to characterise the human pathogenic micro-organisms present in the ring-necked peccary, (2) to assess the risk of transmission to humans, and (3) to highlight the presence of pathogens that could have an impact on the development of farmed animals.

LabVet
Anthropisation and the destruction of biodiversity are known to encourage the passage of pathogens from wild animals to domestic and farm animals, potentially favouring the emergence of new epidemics. The LabVet project aims to collect, collate and identify pathogens present in samples from domestic, farmed and wild animals. The aim of the study is to compile an inventory of the parasitic, bacterial and fungal pathogens circulating in France. The results will provide an initial estimate of the zoonoses present in the region, enabling research projects focusing on zoonoses in animals, such as leptospirosis and Chagas disease, to be directed and prioritised.

Identification of micro-organisms (water, air, soil, animals, etc.)

• Molecular Biology :
  • dPCR, qPCR, conventional PCR
  • sequencing (DNA and metagenomics, etc.)
• Microscopy
• Serology (detection of antigens, antibodies)
• Cell cultures

for the detection and identification of micro-organisms from various matrices (water, air, soil, animals, etc.). The TBIP team works in collaboration with other research teams, and can also offer services to professionals.

Training and skills transfer
The TBIP laboratory offers staff training in molecular biology, serology and cell culture diagnostic techniques. Training courses aimed at transferring skills in molecular biology are regularly given to the technical staff of the university hospital parasitology-mycology laboratory at the Cayenne Hospital Centre.

Analysis of the microbiological quality of air in premises for professional use
The TBIP laboratory provides air quality analysis services to professional organisations. Team members visit the premises to be tested, take air samples and test for allergens such as fungi.

Partners Atmo Guyane and Laboratoire Hospitalo-universitaire de parasitologie et mycologie - Cayenne Hospital Centre 

Sensitivity testing of anti-leishmania plant extracts
The TBIP laboratory offers its expertise in assessing the antiLeishmania of various substances. The extracts to be tested are sent to the TBIP laboratory, which assesses the sensitivity of these extracts to the promastigote form of the parasite and, more recently, to the amastigote form in macrophages.

Collaboration: Cutanex (since 2019), Ecofog (2017-22)

Adria MATOUTEShe is a PhD student and assistant engineer in the UMR-CIIL-TBIP laboratory. The work she is carrying out during her thesis is part of the Airfungui project, which aims to study aerial fungal diversity. The study also aims to identify correlations between biotic factors (fungi, bacteria, etc.) and abiotic factors (temperature, wind strength, etc.) in order to develop a predictive model for monitoring allergenic and pathogenic micro-organisms. Her research also focuses on the micro-biodiversity of wildlife in French Guiana. She is in charge of deploying bioinformatics tools within the unit.

Ghislaine PREVOT, University Professor of Biochemistry and Microbiology since 2017 and Vice-President of Research and Development at the University of Guyana since 2023. She wrote her doctoral thesis on the study of the vectorial competence of Anopheles in relation to Plasmodium falciparumShe is currently working on the study of the bacterium responsible for malaria, under the supervision of Catherine BOURGOUIN at the Institut Pasteur in Paris and at the Pierre et Marie Curie University (Sorbonne Université). Her research focuses in particular on leishmaniasis (immune response, Leishmania RNA virus, drug resistance, vectors), and more generally on vector-borne diseases and zoonoses. A teacher-researcher at the University of French Guyana since 2002, she is involved in training undergraduate and medical students. She contributes her expertise to various bodies, including the Regional Health Observatory (2019 to date), the Economic, Social, Environmental, Cultural and Educational Council of French Guiana (since 2024), the Regional Scientific Council for Natural Heritage (2007 to 2024), and the Scientific Council of the Franco-Brazilian Amazon Biodiversity Centre (since 2024).

Magalie DEMAR, University Professor - Hospital Practitioner (PU-PH) in Parasitology and Mycology since 2015 at the University of Guyana, she led the "Amazonian Ecosystems and Tropical Pathology" (EPaT) research team from 2017 to 2019, which became the TBIP team of the UMR CIIL, which she has co-directed since 2020. She completed her thesis on the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis under the supervision of Prof. CARME at the CHU des Antilles-Guyane. Her research work focuses on zoonoses (wild, farmed and domestic fauna), in particular Amazonian toxoplasmosis and intestinal parasites. She is also involved in teaching and training for Masters courses, mainly in parasitology and mycology. 

Marine GINOUVESPhD in cellular and molecular biology in 2020, and has been a research engineer in the TBIP laboratory since 2009. She wrote her thesis on the phylogeny of Leishmania RNA virus (LRV) and their involvement in cutaneous leishmaniasis, under the supervision of Prof. COUPPIE and Prof. PREVOT, at the University of Guyana (UG). His research work focuses on leishmaniasis (LRV, vectors, sensitivity tests, etc.). in vitro), zoonoses (wild, farmed and domestic animals), and the development of diagnostic tools adapted to the needs of the region for the detection of parasites, bacteria and fungi. She is also involved in university life, as a member of UG councils, and in teaching and training activities for undergraduate and postgraduate students. She is also involved in the budget management of the TBIP team (Cayenne division).

Mona SAOUTShe has been a biology technician in the TBIP laboratory since 2018. She is involved in several research projects at TBIP relating to zoonoses in French Guiana, working in collaboration with vets on leptospirosis, Chagas disease and equine piroplasmosis. She carries out serological and molecular biology analyses to identify the presence of pathogens in biological samples taken from animals. As a prevention assistant for all the University of Guyana's Biology and Chemistry laboratories, she is involved in workplace safety issues.