Bernard Mouillac | Biophysics | Best Researcher Award | 4493

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Dr. Bernard Mouillac | Biophysics | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Bernard Mouillac, Institute of Functional Genomics, France

Dr. Bernard Mouillac, PhD, is a distinguished French molecular pharmacologist with extensive expertise in cell biology, structural pharmacology, and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Currently serving as Team Co-leader and Research Director (DR2) at INSERM, he has led pioneering work at the Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle in Montpellier since 1998. His career includes a postdoctoral fellowship under Prof. Michel Bouvier in Canada and over three decades of contributions to receptor biology. Dr. Mouillac’s research, published in leading journals such as Science Advances and Nature, has significantly advanced the structural understanding of hormone-receptor interactions. He is co-author of 128 publications (H-index: 45, >8,500 citations) and holds four patents. An esteemed reviewer and committee member, his leadership spans European research projects and global GPCR initiatives.

Author Profile

Orcid

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits: A Foundation of Excellence

Dr. Mouillac’s academic journey began at the University of Montpellier, where he earned a Master’s degree (1986) and a Ph.D. (1990) in Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology. His foundational studies equipped him with critical skills in cellular signaling, protein interactions, and biochemical pathways, setting the stage for an outstanding scientific career. His academic brilliance was further solidified during his postdoctoral fellowship (1991–1992) at the University of Montreal, Canada, under the mentorship of the globally renowned Prof. Michel Bouvier. This early exposure to receptor biology and pharmacological modeling shaped the direction of his life’s research.

🧪 Professional Endeavors and Research Contributions

Dr. Mouillac has held progressively impactful roles in the French biomedical research ecosystem:

  • 1993–1998: Associate Researcher at CNRS-INSERM Centre for Pharmacology-Endocrinology, Montpellier.

  • 1998–Present: Team Leader at the Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, where he has advanced as a pivotal contributor in GPCR-related research.

His research focus is centered on G protein-coupled receptors, particularly vasopressin and oxytocin receptors, which are crucial in numerous physiological processes. Through cutting-edge structural biology techniques, including cryo-electron microscopy and time-resolved FRET, he has deciphered the mechanisms of receptor-ligand interactions and biased signaling.

His co-authored paper in Science Advances (2022) describing the vasopressin hormone-V2 receptor-β-arrestin1 ternary complex is one of the landmark studies in the field, providing unprecedented insights into receptor conformation and signaling fidelity. Overall, he has authored 128 scientific articles, with an H-index of 45 and 8,565+ citations, illustrating both the quantity and quality of his research.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Mouillac’s excellence has been consistently recognized through numerous prestigious awards and funding:

  • Prix des Laboratoires Logeais (1993)

  • INSERM Prize for Scientific Excellence (2012–2015 and 2024–2027)

  • Principal investigator in multiple ANR projects (RIB, Neurosciences, Blanc Architect, StrainV2)

  • European project involvement under STREP 6th PCRDT

He has also been awarded significant grants from the Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale (FRM), including an engineer grant (2014–2016) and team support (2015–2018).

🌍 Impact and Influence: A Global Scientific Voice

Dr. Mouillac is not only a researcher but also a global voice in pharmacological science. His ad hoc reviewer roles for elite journals such as Nature, PNAS, Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, and JBC signify the trust the global community places in his judgment and expertise. He has evaluated grants for prominent institutions including ANR (France), Wellcome Trust (UK), AIRC (Italy), and Austrian Science Fund, showcasing his international influence.

He also chaired the IUPHAR Subcommittee on Vasopressin/Oxytocin Receptors (2004–2017), helping shape international classification and nomenclature systems for GPCRs.

🤝 Leadership and Collaboration in Research

Dr. Mouillac has long been a catalyst for collaborative science. He co-organized leading scientific events such as:

  • “A Day in the Life of G Protein-Coupled Receptors” (2004, Montpellier)

  • 3rd GPCR International Annual Meeting (2014, Montpellier)

His collaborations with structural biologists like Dr. Sébastien Granier and electron microscopy experts have enriched interdisciplinary approaches and led to co-corresponding author roles in several high-impact publications. His patents (including WO 2004/113539A3 and EP 2014 2708235A1) also show his aptitude in translational innovation.

🚀 Legacy and Future Contributions

With more than 30 years at the forefront of GPCR pharmacology, Dr. Bernard Mouillac has already left a considerable legacy. Yet, he continues to push boundaries with current projects like ANR V2Cure (2023–2026) and ANR OT-ism (2024–2027). His mentorship of emerging scientists, leadership in INSERM’s CSS1 committee, and pioneering experimental designs ensure that the next generation of biomedical researchers will stand on solid shoulders.

✍️ Publication Top Notes

📘 Inactive structures of the vasopressin V2 receptor reveal distinct binding modes for Tolvaptan and Mambaquaretin toxin

Author:  Bernard MOUILLAC
Journal: Nature Communications
Year: 2025
📘 G protein peptidomimetics reveal allosteric effects and stepwise interactions in ghrelin receptor–G protein coupling
Author: Morgane Mannes; Charlotte Martin; Marjorie Damian; Sonia Cantel; Hélène Orcel; Jean-Alain Fehrentz; Bernard Mouillac; Julie Kniazeff; Jean-Louis Banères; Steven Ballet

Journal: Science Signaling

Year: 2025

📘 Structures of the arginine-vasopressin and oxytocin receptor signaling complexes

Author: Julien Bous; Aurélien Fouillen; Hélène Orcel; Sébastien Granier; Patrick Bron; Bernard Mouillac
Journal: Vitamins and Hormones
Year: 2023

Maraf mbah bake | Computational Biophysics | Best Researcher Award 

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Mr. Maraf mbah bake | Computational Biophysics | Best Researcher Award 

University of Texas at El Paso | United States 

AUTHOR PROFILE

EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

MBAH BAKE Maraf's academic journey began with his Bachelor of Science Degree (B.Sc.) in Chemistry from the Department of Inorganic Chemistry at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon. He then pursued a Master's Degree in Chemistry with a specialization in Theoretical and Physical Chemistry from the Inorganic Chemistry Department at the same institution. Subsequently, he ventured into teaching as a Chemistry Teacher at Government Bilingual High School Pouma, Cameroon, before advancing his academic pursuits with a Master of Science in Computational Chemistry at the Inorganic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon.

PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

MBAH BAKE Maraf's professional journey encompasses a diverse range of roles, from teaching Chemistry at the high school level to conducting research in computational chemistry at prestigious institutions such as the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Currently, he serves as a Graduate Student and Teaching Assistant in Physics at UTEP, where he is involved in a project titled "Design of Anti-Cancer Drug Targeting Kinesin Protein, Quantum Computing, and Machine Learning Analysis" under the supervision of Prof. Lin Li.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS

MBAH BAKE Maraf's research focuses primarily on Computational Biophysics, with a specific interest in understanding molecular mechanisms underlying various biological processes and designing potential therapeutic agents. His expertise lies in quantum chemistry, screening, molecular dynamics analysis, and modeling chemical reactivity and properties using computational tools. Through his research endeavors, he aims to contribute to the development of novel drugs for diseases such as malaria, HIV, cancer, and hepatitis B virus.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

MBAH BAKE Maraf's research outputs, including scientific publications and participation in conferences and workshops, reflect his significant contributions to the field of Computational Biophysics. His work has been recognized internationally, and he serves as a reviewer for the International Journal of Quantum Chemistry, reflecting his expertise and influence in the academic community.

ACADEMIC CITES

MBAH BAKE Maraf's research publications in reputable journals demonstrate the impact of his work in Computational Biophysics. His contributions to understanding molecular reactions and designing potential therapeutic agents have garnered attention within the scientific community, further solidifying his reputation as a leading researcher in the field.

LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

As MBAH BAKE Maraf continues his academic and research endeavors in Computational Biophysics, his legacy is poised to make a significant impact on the field. Through his innovative research projects and collaborations with renowned scientists, he aims to advance our understanding of complex biological processes and contribute to the development of novel therapeutics. His future contributions hold the promise of addressing critical healthcare challenges and improving patient outcomes through computational approaches.

NOTABLE PUBLICATION