Prof Thomas Bourgeron began his research in plant biology and then in genetics of severe neurological diseases where he identified the first nuclear gene mutations of the respiratory chain and of the Krebs cycle in humans. Later, he established a multidisciplinary laboratory at the Institut Pasteur bringing together psychiatrists, neuroscientists, geneticists, and autistic individuals to explore the causes of autism and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). His group identified the first mutations in autism of the NLGN-NRXN-SHANK pathway, which has a key role in synapse formation within the brain. Beyond a strictly medical lens, he advocates for a broader, non-deterministic view of genetics. He leads the EU funded project R2D2-Mental Health, which maps both Risk and Resilience factors for NDDs and co-develops Mental-Health metrics aligned with the concept of Developmental Diversity. This initiative integrates neurodiverse adolescents and adults into participatory research.
Photo: Institut Pasteur/François Gardy