Daniel F. Louvard
Leader in cancer cell biology, Established novel light and electron microscopic immunolocalization technologies that revealed epithelial cell polarity and mechanisms of membrane traffic. Discovered villin's role in the development of the intestine and as a biomarker of metastatic disease derived from colorectal cancer. His discovery of villin and its interaction with actin binding proteins in the cytoskeleton provided novel insights into intestinal mucosal repair and homeostasis as well as in intestinal cancers. Using a tissue-specific villin promoter driving Wnt, Ras, or Notch, generated transgenic mice that modeled human colorectal cancers. Villin expression is restricted to the intestine during embryonic development and marks metastatic epithelial cells derived from primary colorectal tumors. Villin is a crucial biomarker of the cellular origin (intestine) of metatastic tumors.Leader in molecular cell biology within Europe and has worked tirelessly to support young investigators. To address the difficulties of young French scientists returning from postdoctoral training abroad, he initiated a program for young group leaders seeking independence at the beginning of their careers, now a model throughout Europe.Since his retirement as Emeritus Professor , he works as an expert and constultant for biotechnologies companies and ventures funds organizations .