Spotlight on the PHySE Research Team

Published on March 6, 2025 in Search

The Waterborne Pathogens, Health, and Environment (PHySE) team at UMR 5151 (HydroSciences Montpellier), co-directed by Prof. Estelle Jumas-Bilak and Dr. Patricia Licznar-Fajardo, focuses on the study of new waterborne infectious risks related to antibiotic resistance, the emergence of diseases, the vulnerability of populations and ecosystems, traditional and emerging risks in the Global South, and the need to develop new surveillance tools.

Research Areas

Compare the diversity and dynamics of pathogens in anthropogenically altered aquatic systems and in humans, particularly vulnerable patients.
Understanding the mechanisms of evolution in waterborne pathogens: virulence, persistence, transmission, and resistance.
To study the interactions between hosts (humans, arthropod vectors), water, and pathogens in order to better understand their persistence and transmission.
Analyze the impact of climatic, hydrological, and abiotic factors on the emergence and spread of waterborne pathogens.
To link the dynamics of bacteria and viruses in water to the epidemiology of human infectious diseases.
Identify and validate methodologies and indicators for studying and monitoring emerging infectious risks associated with or revealed by water, and propose control measures and integrated responses.

Hospital Services

Some members of the PHySE team are involved in hospital-based activities at the Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Resistance Unit (SPIR) at the Montpellier University Hospital and at the Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene Laboratory at the Nîmes University Hospital. These strong ties with the hospital enable the PHySE team to address scientific issues in environmental health related to hospital settings.

In this context, the team is studying the diversity, dynamics of microbial colonization, and adaptation of waterborne pathogens in the respiratory tract of patients with cystic fibrosis, who are particularly vulnerable to chronic lung infections caused by these pathogens.

The risk of infection is also studied in the hospital setting, as close as possible to the patient, as well as the emergence, persistence, and spread of antibiotic resistance in water systems such as rivers, groundwater, wastewater, and coastal waters. Another example of the link between research activities and the hospital is the PHySE team, which was on the front lines during the COVID crisis and is now responsible for COVID epidemiological surveillance at the University Hospital.

A cross-functional and collaborative approach

Beyond its research topics, PHySE embodies the importance of collaborative work in science. Every member—from doctoral students to lab technicians—plays a key role in building knowledge and driving scientific innovation. Vincent Jean-Pierre’s work on Achromobacter and Isabelle Zorgniotti’s daily dedication exemplify this dynamic, where expertise and knowledge-sharing come together to better understand and prevent waterborne infectious risks.

Vincent JEAN-PIERRE, pharmacist and biologist, University Hospital Assistant (AHU) in Bacteriology at the Nîmes University Hospital and the Montpellier School of Pharmacy

What's your background?

I began my studies in pharmacy in Montpellier, where I quickly developed an interest in teaching and research. I was hired as a teaching assistant in organic chemistry and also served as vice president of the Association of Pharmacy Teaching Assistants.

At the same time, I completed my first research internship in medicinal chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Vincent Lisowski, focusing on the synthesis of anticancer molecules. I then completed my “introductory research internship” in the bacteriology laboratory under the supervision of Prof. Hélène Marchandin, where I studied colonization by toxin-producing S. aureus in patients with cystic fibrosis. This immersion in microbiology confirmed my interest in the discipline.

I went on to complete a residency in Medical Biology in Grenoble, while further developing my teaching and scientific skills through a University Diploma (DU) in pedagogy and a Master 2 in Infectious Diseases. My residency thesis on vaccine targets for the Epstein-Barr virus and my DES thesis on the serology of toxoplasmosis enriched my training in virology and medical diagnostics.

Why did you choose the internship track?

Coming from a family of teachers, I have always wanted to share my knowledge. My role as a tutor and my passion for bacteriology naturally led me to a residency program, which combines hospital practice and research.

Today, it is a true honor to serve as a teaching assistant at the university where I received my education and alongside the team that nurtured my calling.

What is your thesis about?

I am currently in my third year of PhD and am conducting my research as part of the PHySE team. My dissertation, titled “Epidemiological Success of Opportunistic Pathogens of the Genus Achromobacter: A Study of Virulence and Persistence Factors,” aims to better understand how these bacteria manage to adapt, persist, and cause infections, particularly in patients with cystic fibrosis.

My research explores mechanisms that have not yet been well characterized, such as siderophore production, cytotoxicity, antibiotic resistance, and the adhesion capacity of these bacteria—key factors in their virulence. By shedding light on these little-known aspects, this research could pave the way for new strategies to combat these opportunistic Achromobacter infections.

Is your work at the hospital related to your dissertation?

Although the Nîmes University Hospital does not have a Cystic Fibrosis Resource and Competence Center (CRCM), my team collaborates with Dr. Raphaël Chiron of the CRCM in Montpellier on several research projects, thereby strengthening the clinical relevance of my work.

How do you see the future?

My goal is to earn my PhD in order to pursue a career in university hospitals as a MCU-PH in bacteriology.

Isabelle Zorgniotti, technician in the exceptional class

A journey shaped by experience and motivation

I joined the laboratory in 1992 as a technical assistant in charge of the preparation lab. There, I prepared and sterilized culture media and other reagents. I was able to advance in my career thanks to my motivation and the faculty members who trained me in microbiology techniques. I advanced through internal competitive exams, becoming a technician in 2012, then a senior technician in 2016, and a technician in the exceptional class in 2020.

A role that combines teaching and research

I divide my time between teaching and research. In my teaching role, I prepare and organize the bacteriology lab sessions, oversee the equipment, and assist students during the sessions.

In my research, I work with the PHySE team at UMR HydroSciences Montpellier, supporting doctoral students and interns on various projects related to health and water.

Applied Research Projects

I collaborate with the Cystic Fibrosis Resource and Expertise Center at the Montpellier University Hospital. I participated in a study funded by “Vaincre la Mucoviscidose” that compared bacteria in patients’ respiratory tracts with those in their home environments. As part of Vincent Jean-Pierre’s research, I worked on assessing the antibiotic susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates.

In another project with the University Hospital’s forensic medicine department, I helped develop a PCR technique to assist in determining the cause of death in cases of suspected drowning.

I am also involved in research on antibiotic resistance; I am currently working with a hydrogeology student from another HSM team to conduct bacteriological analyses of groundwater.

Essential support for students

I welcome and train doctoral students, master’s students, and pharmacy students by familiarizing them with laboratory rules and best practices. I teach them techniques in bacteriology and molecular biology, as well as how to use the equipment. As the point person for orders, I advise them on the selection of reagents and consumables.

Together with my colleagues, we provide guidance and ensure that the research proceeds smoothly, thereby contributing to their training and scientific progress.