Team 7
Molecular biology of
neuronal transport
Decoding the role of nuclear transport factors in subcellular communications to understand neuronal functions and disorders
Founded in 2023, our team investigates how subcellular transport mechanisms shape brain development and function. We focus on the importin family of nuclear transport factors which have key roles during the communication between synapses, the soma, and the nucleus, and contribute to neuronal plasticity, circuit function, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
By combining molecular, cellular, and behavioral approaches, our mission is to determine the fundamental principles governing importin-mediated transport in physiologically relevant neural networks. Our research aims not only to advance understanding of brain function but also to develop novel therapeutic targets for neurodevelopmental disorders such as Rett syndrome.
We are committed to fostering an interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment and welcome motivated students, postdoctoral researchers, engineers, and collaborators interested in joining our efforts.
Research areas : Nuclear transport – Importin signaling – Synaptic plasticity – Neuronal survival and regeneration – Neurodevelopmental disorders – Intracellular trafficking
Research Topics
Recent Publications
Articles
- Increased Osteoclast Activity Contributes to Bone Resorption and Osteopenia in a Rett Syndrome Mouse Model
Samee N, Belz L, Narboux-Nême N, Roux J-C, Panayotis N, Levi G : Cells, 2026 - From Gene to Hope: Rett Syndrome and the Rise of Molecular Therapies
Yoann Leblay, Marie-Solenne Felix, Jean-Christophe Roux, Nicolas Panayotis : Mol Diagn Ther, 2026 - Subcellular depletion of importin β1 impairs presynaptic local translation and spatial memory
Philip A Freund, Nicolas Panayotis, Pingan Yuanxiang, Sebastian Samer, Leilah Otikovs, Riki Kawaguchi, Juan Oses-Prieto, Talieh Zomorrodinia, Ida Rishal, Michaela Schweizer, Michael Tsoory, Katarzyna M Grochowska, Anna Karpova, Alma L Burlingame, Michael R Kreutz, Mike Fainzilber : Science Signaling, 2026 - PTBP1 regulates injury responses and sensory pathways in adult peripheral neurons.
Alber S, Di Matteo P, Zdradzinski MD, Dalla Costa I, Medzihradszky KF, Kawaguchi R, Di Pizio A, Freund P, Panayotis N, Marvaldi L, Doron-Mandel E, Okladnikov N, Rishal I, Nevo R, Coppola G, Lee SJ, Sahoo PK, Burlingame AL, Twiss JL, Fainzilber M : Sci Adv, 2023 - State-of-the-art therapies for Rett syndrome.
Panayotis N, Ehinger Y, Felix MS, Roux JC : Dev Med Child Neurol, 2022 - β-sitosterol reduces anxiety and synergizes with established anxiolytic drugs in mice.
Panayotis N, Freund PA, Marvaldi L, Shalit T, Brandis A, Mehlman T, Tsoory MM, Fainzilber M : Cell Rep Med, 2021
