Axel Joly: from pharmacy to hematopoiesis research
Axel Joly, a pharmacist in his fourth year of doctoral studies atthe Institute of Molecular Genetics in Montpellier (IGMM), works in the "Hematopoiesis and Immunotherapy" team under the supervision of Dr. Sandrina Kinet.
What is your background?
I followed a traditional pharmacy course at the Faculty of Pharmacy in Montpellier, specializing in research from my fourth year onwards. In my fifth year, I continued with a Master's degree in Experimental and Regenerative Medicine at the Faculty of Science, with the particular aim of obtaining funding to complete a doctoral thesis in a research laboratory.
For the first three years of my thesis, I received funding from the CBS2 doctoral school in Montpellier. I then obtained a grant from the Foundation for Medical Research (FRM) to complete a fourth year of thesis work.
What is the subject of your thesis?
My research aims to better understand how red blood cells are generated from hematopoietic stem cells, and in particular how the metabolic state of stem cells impacts this process.
Our laboratory specializes in the study of nutrient transporters, whose expression and functions are crucial for fueling intracellular metabolic pathways. In this context, my work focuses more specifically on the importance of certain amino acid transporters during red blood cell generation in both physiological and pathological contexts.
Indeed, my research laboratory, along with other teams, has shown that diseases affecting red blood cell production, such as myelodysplastic syndromes or Blackfan-Diamond anemia, can be associated with metabolic alterations. A better understanding of the metabolic regulation of this process could therefore lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets and the development of innovative therapies for these serious diseases.
Why did you choose to pursue a career in research?
I have always been fascinated by mechanisms of action and understanding biological processes, which naturally led me to choose the research track. This track is well structured, facilitating the transition from pharmacy studies to fundamental research. It effectively prepares students for the critical analysis of scientific articles and research data, which are key skills for completing a master's degree and then a thesis.
In addition to providing a solid scientific background in biology and chemistry, this program offers a general education that allows students to better understand concepts that can sometimes be difficult for more specialized students. The excellent support provided by the teachers throughout the program also helped me greatly in making this transition successfully.
How do you see yourself in the future?
After my thesis, I plan to do postdoctoral work in a laboratory working on topics that are in line with my current research. I have already identified some interesting laboratories with which I have collaborated in the past. My goal is to continue in academic research.
As for teaching, that interests me too. I'm not ruling out the possibility of returning to university, either in pharmacy or science. In an academic career, it's essential to remain open to all opportunities.