16 Jun The Lions Club of Bergerac Renews Its Support for BRIC Research on Cowden Syndrome
The BRIC recently had the pleasure of receiving renewed support from the Lions Club of Bergerac through the national fundraising initiative “Tulips Against Cancer.”
This donation supports a fundamental research project led by Team 8 of the BRIC (Biotherapies, Genetics, and Oncology – BIOGO), in collaboration with the Bergonié Institute.
The project was initiated by Prof. Michel Longy and Prof. Nicolas Sevenet, and the PhD thesis of Thibaut Matis (MD, PhD student) is a central part of the initiative.
A Project Rooted in Translational Research
Titled CISCO, the project aims to identify regulatory regions of the PTEN gene — a well-known tumor suppressor gene involved in various pathologies, including Cowden syndrome.
This rare genetic disorder is characterized by the development of multiple benign tumors and a heightened risk of cancer.
While mutations in the PTEN gene account for some cases, around 80% of Cowden syndrome patients show no identifiable mutation in PTEN.
The team hypothesizes that distant regulatory regions — still poorly characterized — may play a key role in these unexplained cases.
By combining 3D genomics, genome editing (via the CRISP’Edit platform), and bioinformatics analysis, the CISCO project seeks to better understand the fine regulation of PTEN and develop new diagnostic tools for cases currently without a clear genetic explanation.
A Multidisciplinary Team at Work
Alongside Prof. Nicolas Sevenet and Thibaut Matis, several researchers from BRIC are actively involved in the project, including Élodie Darbo, Jessica Massière, Sandrine Dabernat, and the engineers of the CRISP’Edit platform.
This project perfectly illustrates the role BRIC aims to play: a research institute bridging basic and clinical research, with a focus on patient-oriented science.
A Valuable Long-Term Partnership
The Lions Club of Bergerac has now supported the CISCO project for three consecutive years, underscoring the importance of partnerships between civil society and scientific research.
The annual “Tulips Against Cancer” campaign, organized by the club’s volunteers, raises funds to support concrete, locally driven projects with high potential impact.
The BRIC extends its warmest thanks to the members of the Lions Club of Bergerac for their generosity and unwavering commitment.
This support helps advance precision research, aimed at better understanding rare and still poorly explained diseases.
