Portrait of a Researcher: Marie Morille
Marie Morille is an associate professor at the University of Montpellier (School of Pharmacy) and atthe Charles Gerhardt Institute of Montpellier (ICGM).
My Background
After earning a master’s degree in Cell Biology (University of Angers), I completed a Ph.D. in nanomedicine (2006–2009), focusing on the development of lipid nanoparticles that evade the immune system for the gene therapy of tumors.
I then worked as a research assistant at the University of Bordeaux (Victor Segalen University), exploring aspects of nanotoxicity, before pursuing postdoctoral research at the intersection of pharmaceutical formulation (protein encapsulation) and cell therapy, focusing on the development of pharmacologically active microcarriers for cartilage regeneration (University of Angers/University of Montpellier). I have thus developed multidisciplinary expertise at the intersection of physical chemistry, galenics, and biology, which allows me to interact with a wide variety of audiences—it’s particularly stimulating!
My research activities at the ICGM (Department of Chemistry & Macromolecular Materials)
Since 2012, I have been conducting research on the design of biomolecule delivery systems, with a particular focus on the relationship between the physicochemical properties of nanovectors and the impact this may have on the biological performance of these systems. My main research areas focus on the development and characterization of nanomedicine, particularly for the delivery of nucleic acids (siRNA, mRNA), as well as on the engineering of natural nanomedicine, extracellular vesicles (EVs), to optimize their therapeutic application. This latter topic, which combines my background in cell biology with my interest in pharmaceutical formulation and physical chemistry, is particularly exciting!
To address these scientific questions, my team is made up of chemists, biologists, and pharmacists who work together on a daily basis. This diversity of backgrounds gives rise to different questions and complementary approaches, which is particularly enriching both personally and scientifically, and often very effective in tackling scientific challenges!
Teaching Activities
My teaching activities, within the Department of Galenic Pharmacy, Biomaterials, and Cosmetology, focus on pharmaceutical sciences applied to biotherapies, with a particular emphasis on nanomedicine (formulation, physicochemical and biological characterization, and clinical application). Indeed, there is a strong need at the national level—and particularly in the Occitanie region—to train future healthcare professionals capable of designing and administering these specialized medications known as biotherapies. This involves learning the galenic formulation of these highly specific biomolecules, which are also very delicate to handle and therefore to administer.
Since January 2024, I have been coordinating theIHU Immune4cure education program, whichis dedicated to developing treatments for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. This program aims to provide multidisciplinary training for physicians, pharmacists, scientists, and doctoral students, equipping them to work in GMP biomanufacturing facilities and address the specificities of innovative cell therapies to deliver personalized/precision medicine.
In this context, we plan to help establish an innovative training center within the Department of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences by 2027, with a particular focus on training in the production and characterization (physicochemical and biological) of natural (EV) and synthetic (nanomedicines) nanoparticles.
How does the IUF provide a supportive environment for my research?
Since 2022, I have been a junior member ofthe Institut Universitaire de France (IUF). This appointment has enabled me to secure additional resources to expand my research activities, but above all, it has freed up time—a precious commodity for a faculty member—allowing me to remain competitive in this highly dynamic field of research.
The goal of this five-year IUF project is to develop various types of biopharmaceutical products based on EVs for pulmonary administration, particularly via nebulization. Indeed, this route of administration—which has received very little evaluation to date for EVs—holds great potential for treating various pulmonary diseases. Thanks to this assignment, I have just returned from a research visit to California (UC Davis), supported by the prestigious Fulbright Fellowship, to collaborate with a research team dedicated to the therapeutic use of EVs and cell therapy. It was a particularly enriching experience, both scientifically and personally.