Author Archives: Corinne Dentan

AI@UNIL Day, June 2, 2026

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The AI@UNIL Day is a research‑focused scientific event that brings together UNIL’s AI research community and AI experts from neighboring academic institutions. The event aims to showcase the breadth of AI research conducted at UNIL as well as within regional academic institutions.

More than a scientific meeting, it provides a space for exchange and collaboration, highlighting how artificial intelligence serves as a shared language across disciplines and strengthens connections both within UNIL and with the broader regional research ecosystem.

Through interdisciplinary dialogue and shared expertise, the AI@UNIL Day supports the emergence of new collaborative projects and promotes a dynamic, responsible, and inclusive approach to AI research.

More information on: https://ai-day.unil.ch/

G3 (Bethesda): group Benton

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Genome-wide association studies identify new candidate genes and tissues underlying resistance to a natural toxin in drosophilids

Michele Marconcini  1 , Caroline Fragnière  1 , Ambra Masuzzo  1 , Richard Benton  1

Affiliations

Abstract

Many insects can rapidly evolve resistance to artificial insecticides through changes in toxin target proteins. Over longer timescales, insects also evolve resistance to naturally occurring toxins to exploit new ecological niches, but the underlying mechanisms often remain poorly understood. A classic example is Drosophila sechellia, an extreme specialist for the ripe noni fruit of Morinda citrifolia. Noni is toxic for other insects-including D. sechellia’s close relatives Drosophila simulans and Drosophila melanogaster-due to this fruit’s high content of octanoic acid (OA). However, the mechanistic bases of OA susceptibility and resistance across species remain unclear. Here, we first show that the species-specific tolerance of OA is independent of these drosophilids’ distinct microbiomes. Screening large, genetically diverse panels of D. melanogaster and D. simulans strains revealed broad variation in OA resistance, with some lines surviving as well as D. sechellia. Resistance to OA does not correlate with resistance of these lines to other insecticides, implying a distinct toxicity mode of action. Genome-wide association and transcriptome-to-phenotype analyses identified multiple genes linked to OA resistance, with diverse expression patterns and functions, including those involved in epithelial septate junction formation and lipid transport. Loss-of-function analysis in D. melanogaster confirmed that at least 2 of these-Bez, a CD36-family fatty acid transporter, and CG13003, a putative extracellular matrix component-positively contribute to OA resistance. Integration of our findings with those from previous complementary genetic approaches supports a model in which OA has no singular target, and that resistance is defined by multigenic and multitissue defense mechanisms.

Trends Endocrinol Metab.; co-auth.: W. Wahli

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Palmitic and oleic acids in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Xavier Palomer  1 , Ricardo Rodríguez-Calvo  2 , Marta Tajes  3 , Walter Wahli  4 , Manuel Vázquez-Carrera  5

Affiliations

Abstract

The most common dietary and plasma fatty acids (FAs), palmitic and oleic acids, have opposing effects on the risk of developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Palmitic acid has been strongly associated with the presence of T2DM, while oleic acid has not and may even counteract the detrimental effects of palmitic acid. Despite this, recent cohort studies have shown no association or even conflicting results, questioning these roles. This review summarizes the recently discovered molecular mechanisms by which palmitic acid inhibits insulin sensitivity and influences the development and progression of T2DM and how oleic acid can attenuate these effects. It also addresses future challenges in the growing field of dietary FA metabolism in T2DM research, which may help assess their actual impact on this condition.

EMBO Rep.: group Michalik

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An estrogen receptor/E2F1/CDKN3 axis protects from UV-induced skin cancers in females

Céline Lukowicz  1 , Carine Winkler  2 , Catherine Roger  2 , Joanna C Fowler  3 , Yi-Chien Tsai  4   5 , Joachim Meuli  6 , Stéphanie Claudinot  2 , Yun-Tsan Chang  4   5 , Christoph Iselin  4 , Philip H Jones  3   7 , Emmanuella Guenova  4   5   8 , Paris Jafari  2 , Liliane Michalik  9

Affiliations

Abstract

Men have a higher risk of developing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) compared with women, but models and comprehensive analyses of signaling pathways highlighting this sexual dimorphism are missing. Here, we use a UV-induced SCC model in hairless mice recapitulating this sex difference, with enhanced SCC development in males. While UV-induced DNA damage is similar between sexes, we uncover sex-specific responses in epidermal proliferation and differentiation. Global transcriptional profiling identifies E2F transcription factors as key sex-specific markers of the proliferative response to UV. E2F1/2 and their target gene CDKN3 are selectively downregulated in female mouse and human epidermis following UV exposure, and this is mediated by estrogen receptors. CDKN3 depletion impairs SCC cell progression into S-phase and reduces tumor growth in xenograft models. Consistently, low CDKN3 expression in head and neck SCC occurs exclusively in female patients and correlates with better prognosis. We thus reveal a mechanism protecting women from carcinogen-induced cancer formation, which could lead to better sex-targeted preventive and therapeutic strategies in SCC.

CIG Symposium June 11 and 12, 2026

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“Information transfer: From genes to behaviour”

Lausanne, Dorigny, Auditorium C, Génopode (TBC)

In the 2026 CIG Symposium, we aim to present the diversity of biological mechanisms that have evolved to transfer information from one generation to the next, from Mendelian inheritance to cultural transmission. The invited speakers cover a vast diversity of specific questions, model systems and techniques, which should foster novel cross-pollination of ideas and approaches both between speakers and with the audience.

Abstract submission deadline: May 1

Registration deadline: June 1

SessionSpeakerInstitution
Session 1 – Genomic Conflicts and Diversity  
 Anna-Sapfo MalaspinasUniversity of Lausanne
 Harmit MalikFred Hutchison Cancer Research Center
 Eunyoung ChaeOxford University
Session 2 – Genes on the Move  
 Jef BoekeNew York University
 Melanie BlokeschEPFL
 Martin KaltenpothMPI for Chemical Ecology
Session 3 – Epigenetics and Transgenerational Inheritance  
 Coleen MurphyPrinceton University
 Isabelle MansuyUniversity of Zurich and ETH Zurich
 Frank JohannesTechnical University of Munich
Session 4 – Communication, Cognition, and Culture  
 Rebecca KilnerUniversity of Cambridge
 Andrew WhitenSt Andrews University
 Ben de BivortHarvard University

Organisers: 

Professor Richard Benton, CIG, UNIL
Professor Johannes Larsch, CIG, UNIL