Anne-Laure Mahul Mellier

Biography

Dr. Anne-Laure Mahul-Mellier is a senior scientist with over 20 years of hands-on expertise in biology, encompassing neuro-embryology, breast cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Her academic journey began with a PhD in Neurobiology from Université Joseph Fourier (France) in 2007, where she investigated the role of Alix and the endolysosomal pathways in motor neuron development under the mentorship of Prof. Rémy Sadoul. Following her PhD, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Imperial College London (UK) with Prof. Stefan Grimm, where she uncovered the critical role of USP2, a deubiquitinating protease, in regulating cell death and survival within the TNFα signaling pathway in breast cancer cells. In 2012, Anne-Laure joined Prof. Hilal Lashuel’s research group, where she focused on protein misfolding and aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s diseases.

On January 1, 2025, Anne-Laure joined Prof. Giovanni D’Angelo’s lab at EPFL to explore the intricate role of lipids in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. Her research aims to unravel how lipid dysregulation impacts neuronal function and contributes to the origin of the disease and/or its progression throughout the brain, opening new avenues for potential therapeutic interventions.

In addition to her research, Anne-Laure has been actively involved in teaching and mentoring, guiding students across all levels—from apprentices and high school students to Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD candidates. She has also contributed to public education on neurodegenerative diseases and participated in advocacy efforts for Parkinson’s disease, bridging the gap between scientific research and community awareness through outreach activities such as workshops, public lectures, and collaborations with patient advocacy groups and associations. 

Academic Degrees

• 2007: PhD in Neurobiology - University Joseph Fourier- Grenoble Alix, a link between cell death and the endolysosomal pathway
• 2003: Master degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology - University Joseph Fourier- Grenoble 
• 2002: Master degree in Cell Biology and Physiology - University Joseph Fourier- Grenoble 
• 2001: Bachelor degree in Cell Biology and Physiology - University Joseph Fourier- Grenoble 
• 2000: General Biology Studies - University Jean Monnet, Saint Etienne 

Research Experiences

• 2025-present: Lipid cell biology laboratory, PI: Prof Giovanni D'Angelo-EPFL-Lausanne
  Research Topic : Deciphering cellular and molecular mechanisms of Parkinson’s disease with a focus on lipid dysregulation and associated lipidopathies 
• 2012-2024: Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, PI : Prof Hilal Lashuel-EPFL-Lausanne. 
  Research Topic :  Deciphering the cellular mechanisms underlying alpha-synuclein protein aggregation and their contributions to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease 
• 2007-2011 : Apoptosis Research Group, PI: Pr. Stefan Grimm - Imperial College- London Research associate. Research topic: The deubiquitinating enzyme USP2 decides about cell death of breast cancer cells. Grant: BCC (Breast Cancer Campaign) for 3 years.
• 2002-2007: Laboratory Neurodégénérescence et Plasticité, PI: Pr. Rémy Sadoul - UJF - Grenoble PhD and Master training period. Head of research: Dr. Sandrine Fraboulet. Research topic: Alix, a link between neuronal death and the endosomal sorting complexes required for transport, in vivo. Grant : MNRT (Ministère nationale de la recherche et des technologies). 

Scientific Communication

 

• Oral communications: 

“Advances in drug therapy for Parkinson's Disease: current trends and future directions”. Journée de neurologie suisse romande, HUG, Switzerland, 2024. “Unraveling Parkinson’s Disease pathogenesis: Insights from a human-relevant iPSC-derived dopaminergic neuronal model”, Symposium of Parkinson’s disease and related disorders, Fondation biomédicale pour la recherche, EPFL, Switzerland 2024. “The challenges and hopes of Parkinson's Disease treatments”– CQFD, RTS radio, Switzerland, 2024. “Fighting alpha-synucleinopathies: New insights into the origin of Parkinson's Disease”, HUG, Switzerland, 2024. “Reverse engineering Lewy bodies inclusions: How far have we come, how far can we go?”, Cherish and Publish session, UZH, Switzerland, 2022. “Neurodegenerative Diseases: Insights from Patients and Clinicians”, Latsis, Switzerland, 2022. “Reverse engineering Lewy bodies inclusions: How far have we come, how far can we go?”, Latsis, Switzerland, 2022. “Reverse Engineering Lewy Bodies: New insights into the processes that cause Parkinson’s disease”, BMI, Switzerland, 2022. “Fighting alpha-synucleinopathies: New insights into the origin of Parkinson's Disease”, Brain week, Switzerland, 2022 “Screams on a Zoom call: the theory of homeworking with kids meets reality”, Nature careers Webcast, 2021. “Reverse Engineering Lewy Bodies: New insights into the processes that cause Parkinson’s disease”, Vontobel Prize, 2020. “COVID-19: ce qui a changé pour les chercheurs”, EPFL webcast, 2020. “Cell death Regulators involved in the TNF-α pathway”. INRA, Toulouse, France, 2012. “USP2 decides between cell death and survival in the TNFα signaling pathway”. GIN, Grenoble, France, 2010. “USP2 decides about the cell death of breast cancer cells”. Breast Cancer Campaign Conference, London, UK, 2008. “Alix/ALG-2, a link between cell death and endolysosomal system”. The Institute of Cancer Research, Dr Pascal Meier’s lab, London, UK, 2007. “Alix/ALG-2 making a link between endosomes and death signaling in vivo.” 36th Neuroscience meeting (SfN), Atlanta, USA, 2006. “Alix, a link between the endolysosomal system and neuronal cell death in vivo.” Laboratory Motor Neuron Development and Pathology, Columbia University, New York, USA, 2006. “Alix is involved in the programmed cell death of cervical motoneurons in the chick embryo.” UJF, Grenoble, France, 2005.