N°15 quarterly october 2009

The Hidden Talents of C hemistry

IN IMAGES Eiffel Tower The universal symbol of Paris www.cnrs.fr/70ans celebrates its 120th anniversary.

contentscontentsCONTENTS 3 COVER STORY CNRS International Magazine 18 Trimestriel - Octobre 2009 1 place Aristide Briand F-92195 Meudon Cedex FRENCH RESEARCH NEWS 4 Telephone: +33 (0)1 45 07 53 75 CNRS celebrates its 70th The Hidden Fax: +33 (0)1 45 07 56 68 Email: [email protected] anniversary. Website: www.cnrs.fr Talents of CNRS (headquarters) 3 rue Michel Ange LIVE FROM THE LABS F-75794 Paris cedex 16 Publisher: 6 CHEMISTRY Arnold Migus (CNRS)

Editorial Director: 19 Marie-Hélène Beauvais (CNRS) > A Rejuvenated Industrial Sector > Deputy Editorial Director: > Chemistry Set at the Museum > 21 Fabrice Impériali (CNRS) > The Chemistry of Cosmetics > 22 Managing Editor: Isabelle Tratner (CNRS) > Tracking Down Fraud > 24 Production Manager: > New Materials > 25 Laurence Winter > Environmental Sentinels > 27 Staff Writer: Charline Zeitoun

Freelance Writers: Stéphanie Arc Jean-Philippe Braly Jason Brown Patricia Chairopoulos rin/CNRS Photothèque

Caroline Dangléant er Denis Delbecq Laurianne Geffroy 31 © E. P Marion Girault-Rime Séverine Lemaire-Duparcq Virginie Lepetit AROUND THE WORLD Marie Lescroart Fui Lee Luk > FOREIGN PARTNER 31 Mélisande Middleton Computing Better Engines Xavier Müller Saman Musacchio European Research Network in Mark Reynolds computational fluid dynamics. Barbara Rush . Sila Philippe Testard-Vaillant © P > THEY CHOSE FRANCE 32 Marie-Hélène Towhill Clémentine Wallace > SPOTLIGHT 6 Pablo Gluschankof

Translation Manager: Teaming up Against Diabetes Yeast Could Help AIDS treatment. Aimée Lahaussois (CNRS) Inside the European Genomic > HORIZONS 34 Copy Editor: Institute for Diabetes. Saman Musacchio rin/CNRS Photothèque Italy Graphic Design: er Céline Hein > NEWS 8 Scientific success. Iconography: Nanosized memory, Out of Africa, Marie Gandois (CNRS) Cover Illustration: A better outlook for breast cancer B. Morandi/AGE FOTOSTOCK/HOA-QUI ; patients, Cloaking ourselves from INNOVATION 36 S.Thenard/Fotolia.com Photoengraving: disaster, Elephants started small, Language video games, Tiny fuel Scoop Communication - First global map of ammonia cells, A weapon against prions.

F- 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre © Olivier/Fotolia.com ; E. P Printing: sources, Reacting to incivilities, Imprimerie Didier Mary 6, rue de la Ferté-sous-Jouarre Revisiting the origins of the solar IN IMAGES 28 CNRS NEWSWIRE 38 F-77440 Mary-sur-Marne system, A fungus to Master of Iron Optics in all fields, Spiral 2, ISSN 1778-1442 decontaminate soil. Looking back at the outstanding Exploring the soil’s biodiversity, AIP 0001308 career of Gustave Eiffel. New collaborations. CNRS Photos are available at: > ON LOCATION 16 [email protected] http://phototheque.cnrs.fr The Tara Mission Studying the oceans’ biodiversity. All rights reserved. Partial or full reproduction of articles or illustrations is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from CNRS. CNRS Photo and Video databases now in English The CNRS photo and video libraries provide open Photos and DVDs can be ordered online. access to a wide range of scientific pictures (18,000) and films* (1400). Guests and registered users can access PHOTO LIBRARY a search engine in English, or browse through the thematic http://phototheque.cnrs.fr/indexL02.html selections on the home page. VIDEO LIBRARY *over 200 in English. http://videotheque.cnrs.fr/index.php?langue=EN

CNRS International Magazine n5°1October 2009

4 FRENCHRESEARCHNEWS EDITORIAL 5

ANNIVERSARY CNRS Turns 70 editorialeditorial Founded on October 19th, 1939, at the initiative of Jean Perrin, CNRS revolutionized French research. Seventy years later, the organization boasts no fewer than 30,000 staff members and 1100 laboratories.

efore the founding of CNRS in 1939, of physico-chemical biology in Paris, with community. A journalist of the time wrote that Gilberte Chambaud environment and in providing many innovations and medicinal there was no real national drive for chemist André Job and physiologist André the mobilization of French laboratories Scientific Director, Institute of products. Yes, chemistry is key to our future. To answer current– French research,” explains CNRS his- Mayer. “This desire to bring together different amounted to the creation of a new regiment,” Chemistry. and more importantly, future–needs, those active in the Btorian Denis Guthleben, whose book disciplines clearly marked the beginning of adds the historian. CNRS was founded on on the subject has just been published.1 “At the Perrin’s project,” says Guthleben. Very quickly, October 19th, 1939. Unfortunately, its field of chemistry are finding the solutions to global time, researchers–then more commonly called Perrin realized what the same initiative could researchers had only nine months to contribute challenges like renewable energy sources, climate change, water ‘savants’–were employed by the State as accomplish at a nationwide level. Having to the war effort before France’s capitulation. and food supplies, demographic growth, health, preservation of professors in universities or ‘grandes écoles,’ introduced a “petition for French research” After the gloomy occupation period, CNRS Photothèque © N.Tiget/CNRS and their research had to take a back seat to that garnered the signatures of over 80 was reorganized and underwent considerable resources, and the environment. their teaching duties,” he continues. CNRS scholars, including 8 Nobel Prize winners, change, especially in the 1960s. Would Perrin More interestingly, as you will thus literally revolutionized French research by Perrin managed to convince the Minister of recognize his brainchild today? Evidently, the “inventing” a status for researchers and education to establish a high council for form and size of CNRS have changed consid- read in our feature article, this organizing their work into teams, which were scientific research in April 1933. This body, erably. It has gone from about 1000 people and Chemistry, Key to our Future field also enables a clearer often multidisciplinary. which represented all disciplines “that played approximately 40 laboratories centered around The idea of creating such an organization, a role (...) in the progress of Humanity,” was Paris and Meudon in 1945 to about 30,000 understanding of our heritage, along with the relentless perseverance to see the first building block of the future CNRS. The people and 1100 laboratories throughout France ature needed billions of years to assemble atoms the creation of new materials, or even the development of more it through to completion, is attributed to one second, laid in 1935, would be the “Caisse in 2009. “But it has maintained its objective to in the complex edifices from which life emerged. natural cosmetic products. man: physicist Jean Perrin. When he received nationale de la recherche scientifique,” a purely embrace all sciences by stimulating advanced the Nobel Prize in physics in 1926 for his financial organization in charge of coordinating research, and to preserve researchers’ freedom Then, some tens of thousands of years were As a source of innovation, chemistry has a major impact on work on the structure of matter, Perrin noticed the initiatives of the different pre-existing to explore all scientific avenues,” says Guthleben. necessary for the first humans to tame nature improving quality of life, and is also an essential motor for that scientific research in France would have institutions that funded research. “For 70 years, CNRS has never stopped adjust- a lot to gain by drawing inspiration from its “The following year, Perrin, who had ing to the surrounding context and expectations. and begin transforming matter: their first act as economic growth in all industrial sectors. At CNRS, the Institute German neighbors. “In Germany, the principle become Deputy State Secretary for research, Its achievements, far-reaching scientific Nchemists was perhaps cooking their food to spare their teeth; their of Chemistry is set to become the national reference for advancing of funding scientific research within large established a national division for scientific discoveries, and significant contributions to second, a more deliberate action, was undoubtedly to succeed knowledge in all fields of chemistry, ranging from molecules to institutions was introduced in 1911,” highlights research with the power to set up laboratories,” overall growth and development during this Guthleben. At that time, in France, the system continues Guthleben. Henceforth, all of the period have been absolutely enormous.” in extracting metal from its ore to design tools, but also weapons. materials and all their cross-disciplinary developments. It provides was based on prizes and distinctions, and only pieces were in place to found CNRS: an assem- Charline Zeitoun Moving from isolated actions to community efforts, man gradually a national framework for sharing high-performance tools, like those who had already made a discovery were bly for the democratic debate of scientific issues, 1. Denis Guthleben, Histoire du CNRS de 1939 à nos jours rewarded. a funding body, and a government executive (Paris: Armand Colin, 2009). developed his talents as a creator of new materials to improve high-field nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers (NMR), the In 1927, with financial support from phi- arm–but these pieces still needed to be put his everyday life. He used grapes to produce wine, transformed Chemical Analysis Central Service,1 which performs complex lanthropist Edmond de Rothschild, together. “With war declared on Germany, there > Contact Information: Denis Guthleben, Comité pour l’histoire du CNRS, Paris. sand into glass, mastered color for his artistic expression and, analyses for both private and public sectors, or the French Jean Perrin first created the Institute was an urgent need to unite the French scientific [email protected] more recently, turned wood into paper. National Chemical Library.2 The institute initiates and supports

CNRS Photothèque/Fonds historique Photothèque/Fonds © CNRS The major revolution in chemistry took place in Europe during national and international collaborations based on excellence and the 19th century. It was during the industrial era that chemistry complementary skills. Its activities are carried out in 12 CNRS played an essential role, supplying new materials that enabled the intramural laboratories and 141 joint laboratories in close development of hygiene, communications, and comfort. A great partnership with universities and other research institutions, shift occurred that steered human knowledge from empiricism including industry. The entire workforce involved in academic and the mysteries of alchemy to understanding, analysis, and research in chemistry represents nearly 7500 people (half from prediction. We soon discovered that matter was made up of a small CNRS), with 5000 researchers (including those teaching in number of different atoms that could be combined ad infinitum. universities), and 2500 technical staff. Chemistry thus turned into a science that brought fascination, In support of the UN resolution which designates 2011 as the penetrated all facets of life, and became a source of progress. “International Year of Chemistry,” all French actors in the field Today, chemistry is everywhere. Such an assumption conveys both have signed a document in May 2009 formalizing their intention A laboratory at the positive and negative feelings. It is somehow proof of its to act in concert. Meudon-Bellevue CNRS site in 1959. usefulness, but sometimes too often linked to risks, pollution, 1. Service Central d’Analyse. (www.sca.cnrs.fr) and toxicity, while we forget its necessity in preserving the 2. Chimiothèque nationale. (http://chimiotheque-nationale.enscm.fr)

CNRS International Magazine n5°1October 2009

6 LIVEFROMTHELABS Spotlight LIVEFROMTHELABS 7

HEALTH

Biotherapy platform specialized Teaming Up Against Diabetes in isolating human islets of Langerhans. The researchers’ expertise in this field is Three laboratories in the French city of Lille have come together internationally renowned. to form the European Genomic Institute for Diabetes. Their goal is to pool their approaches and resources to better prevent, predict, and treat diabetes and its complications.

t’s the early afternoon on the Calmette Campus in Lille. In a small room on the second floor of a building, two technicians are busy extracting DNA

from blood samples from diabetes patients. Down- . Latron/INSERM stairs, automated instruments are sequencing Igenes from the patients’ cells at a furious pace. Down © Photos : P a hall, bioinformaticians and biostatisticians are ana- lyzing genetic data on their computer screens. The Preparing DNA chips from T2D summer sees no decrease in activity for the teams at the patients. Researchers in Lille Genetics of Multifactorial Diseases Research Unit,1 used these chips to create the one of the three labs that make up the new European first genetic map of T2D. Genomic Institute for Diabetes (EGID) launched last May. And researchers are no doubt spurred on by their recent findings. Also heading the section of Genomic Medicine at London’s Imperial College, EGID Director A high-throughput Philippe Froguel and his colleagues were the first to draw automated DNA RNA microchips are used to analyze the genes expressed in up the genetic map not only of type 2 diabetes (T2D), sequencer is used to track gene mutations islets of Langerhans. The failure but also of the severe obesity which strongly predisposes tied to T2D. of these tissues to produce people to the disease. This type of diabetes, which is insulin is a key factor in diabetes. rapidly spreading, already affects 180 million people all over the world (see box). The scientists have also shown director of the Diabetes Biotherapy Unit,2 one of EGID’s acquired an internationally recognized expertise in that there is a link between the disruption of the body’s two other labs. He regularly carries out this operation isolating islets of Langerhans. Currently, islets are biological clock and the onset of T2D. And they certainly on his patients at the Lille Regional University Hospi- removed from the pancreas of brain-dead donors. In the DIABETES DNA extraction from patients’ don’t intend to stop there. “Our goal now is to discover tal Center (CHRU). “Short-circuiting the upper part future, they may come from embryonic stem cells There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that destroys blood samples using one of the the rarer DNA mutations involved in type 2 diabetes,” of the intestine seems to trigger overproduction of differentiated into pancreatic cells. certain cells in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, where insulin is made. The lack of best high-throughput automated says Froguel. To help them achieve this, the lab has intestinal peptides that revive the secretion of insulin,” EGID’s third laboratory, housed on two university insulin leads to an excessive level of glucose in the blood (hyperglycemia), and to platforms in France. one of the best high- he explains. “That’s why we’re now beginning to offer hospital campuses,3 is headed by Bart Staels.4 His team neurological, ocular, and kidney complications. Type 2 diabetes is provoked by a lack of throughput genomic this operation to T2D patients who are not necessarily tests drugs that may regulate the expression of the response of the body to insulin, known as insulin resistance, due to both genetic and platforms in France. “This suffering from severe obesity.” Yet this surgical treat- genes involved in diabetes and in the resulting car- environmental factors (weight gain, sedentary lifestyle). It also leads to hyperglycemia and new device is technically ment should only be carried out on patients suffering diovascular diseases. Following the discovery of a link associated complications, and usually appears after the age of forty. able to sequence the from the most serious forms of the disease. During the between the disruption of the body’s biological clock and entire human genome in surgery, Pattou takes tissue samples which are sent to diabetes, the scientists have started studying mice a week,” claims an engi- Froguel’s lab for genomic analysis. The aim is to discover whose circadian rhythm has been perturbated. They neer. In addition, the team the genes involved in the resumption of insulin secretion. identify the genes whose expression is perturbed, and leaders in diabetes research and in the fight against the has one of the largest But the biotherapy carried out in Pattou’s unit goes study their transcriptional regulation. The lab has great disease,” explains Jean-Benoist Duburcq, CNRS regional gene banks in the world. even further. One of his teams, led by the diabetes expertise in the nuclear receptors involved in the tran- representative and head of the EGID project. “To “In these cold chambers, specialist Marie-Christine Vantyghem, has recently scriptional regulation of genes, some of which are succeed, we’ll be pulling out all the stops to attract the we keep around 25,000 obtained spectacular results by transplanting islets of defective in diabetics. “For instance, we’re trying to best foreign researchers and students, work with samples of DNA from Langerhans, clusters of pancreatic cells that produce improve pharmacological molecules that may act on one renowned private sector partners, and bring together diabetic and obese families,” he adds. “And our insulin and which are defective in so-called type 1 of these receptors called PPARg,” Staels explains. He French diabetes clinicians. We’re also committed to anonymous databases contain biological and medical diabetes. “Half of the fourteen transplanted patients no is also one of the founders of the firm Genfit, which is high-level training and general public information.” information on approximately 40,000 people.” Froguel longer need insulin injections, even as long as five developing a new antidiabetic drug that acts on this type At the end of 2012, the three teams, numbering 137 and his team are now trying to discover the epigenetic years after the transplant. This is the best result ever of receptor. The drug is currently being tested on a colleagues in all, will be brought together on one site, factors involved in T2D, in other words the environ- obtained worldwide,” adds Pattou. The key to this small number of patients. “Our lab is also investigat- on the Lille university campus. CONTACT INFORMATION mental factors that affect the expression of the genes success lies in part in continuous technical improve- ing the role of macrophages–immune cells–and of bile Jean-Philippe Braly EGID, Lille. involved in the disease. “Right now, we’re focusing on ments performed in the laboratory animal facility, acid in the disease. Here again, certain nuclear recep- Philippe Froguel, the study of the genome of obese patients whose T2D across the courtyard. For instance, researchers there are tors seem to play an important role,” he adds. 1. Génomique et physiologie moléculaire des maladies [email protected] métaboliques (CNRS / Université Lille-II / Institut Pasteur de Lille). The Institute houses one of the appears to abate considerably after a surgery that treats attempting intramuscular transplants of islets of Fighting the disease on multiple fronts, EGID’s 2. Thérapie cellulaire du diabète (CHRU de Lille / Université Lille-II/ François Pattou, [email protected] largest DNA banks worldwide, their obesity by connecting the stomach to a lower part Langerhans into pigs. But success also relies on work success lies in the genuine synergy between its differ- Inserm). Bart Staels, [email protected] constituted of around 25,000 DNA 3. Université Lille-II and Institut Pasteur de Lille. Jean-Benoist Duburcq, of the intestine,” he explains. performed before transplant. In the aseptic environment ent teams, all of which enjoy international recogni- 4. Récepteurs nucléaires, maladies cardiovasculaires et diabète samples taken from diabetic or [email protected] obese patients. Helping Froguel is surgeon François Pattou, the of the biotherapy platform, Julie Kerr-Conte’s team has tion. “Our goal is to make the Institute one of the world (Inserm / Institut Pasteur de Lille / Université Lille-II).

CNRS International Magazine n5°1October 2009

8 LIVEFROMTHELABS news LIVEFROMTHELABS 9

1 MATERIALS CHEMISTRY Orsay Isolated single-molecule CANCEROLOGY magnet of Fe6-polyoxometalate (High resolution Transmission Paris1 Nanosized Memory Electron Microscope image) A Better Outlook for Breast Cancer Patients assembled on carbon nanotubes. n the world of technology where The team’s winning strategy is ancer patients could receive genetic) factors, which take part in Moreover, they observed that these results,” says team member

downsizing is essential, a devel- to graft an SMM of Fe6-polyox- as well as single photoactive ones personalized treatment if packing and folding DNA in the HP1α was expressed at higher levels Leanne De Koning. In particular, opment led by CNRS researchers ometalate5 onto a single-wall car- that respond to light. patients susceptible to develop nucleus. During normal develop- in tumor breast cells than in healthy prospective studies will be used to . Mallah/ICMMO I T C promises further advances down bon nanotube, retaining not only © Fui Lee Luk metastases could be identified early. ment, cells acquire a specific ones, and therefore further compare the prognostic value of the path of miniaturization. The its chemical integrity but also its states, future devices can potentially 1. Laboratoire de Chimie Physique (CNRS / At the Institut Curie in Paris, pattern of gene expression which investigated HP1α levels in a major HP1α with standard markers. innovation is in the field of molec- magnetic bistability. Currently being capitalize on this synergy. Université Paris-11), Laboratoire researchers have identified a new is then recorded to be faithfully retrospective study on 86 samples Barbara Rush d’Électronique Moléculaire (CEA-Saclay), ular nanomagnets–tiny magnets used to develop a device called The team further shows that the and the Institut Néel (CNRS). prognostic marker that is associated propagated in a given cell lineage. from breast cancer patients 1. L. De Koning et al., “Heterochromatin capable of storing binary informa- nanoSQUID (Superconducting carbon nanotube and polyoxomet- 2. Institut de Chimie Moléculaire et des to patients’ susceptibility to develop This record is ensured by epigenetic diagnosed in 1995. Only samples protein 1alpha: a hallmark of cell tion due to their magnetic bistability, Quantum Interference Device) for alate mix speeds up electron travel Matériaux d’Orsay (CNRS / Université metastasis after a primary breast factors, such as the HP1 isoforms. from early-stage tumors with no proliferation relevant to clinical oncology,” Paris-11). EMBO Mol Med 1, 2009. 178-91. i.e., the ability to pass from one state measuring the magnetism of tiny between electrode and molecule, 3. CNRS / Université de Versailles Saint- cancer tumor.1 Heterochromatin Almouzni’s team analyzed human detectable metastases were included to another (on and off) in response objects, the advance also paves the causing “a significant energy gain,” Quentin. protein 1α (HP1α) is a protein nec- cells and tissue samples to investi- since researchers wanted to find 4. A. Giusti et al., “Magnetic Bistability of to an external stimulus. way for what Mallah calls “infor- according to Mallah. This discovery Individual Single-Molecule Magnets Grafted essary to normal cell division, but gate the expression of the three prognostic markers for metastasis Until now, bistability had only mation storage systems with opens up prospects for the hybrid on Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes,” A. ngew Geneviève Almouzni’s team has forms of HP1, in particular during development. Interestingly, high CONTACT INFORMATION been found in condensed molecular remarkably high density.” system as a “high-performance elec- Chem., 2009. 121: 5049-52. now shown that it also favors tumor cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. HP1 expression correlated with Leanne de Koning 5. A polyoxometalate is a polyatomic ion α Institut Curie, Paris. clusters, since isolated molecules Information can be stored by trode” in electrocatalytic procedures where transition metal compounds are growth when overexpressed. The They found that only HP1α is asso- the development of metastases. [email protected] tend to lose this trait. However, a SMMs in ultra-compact electronic for energy conversion or hydrogen linked by oxygen atoms. higher the level of HP1α, the greater ciated to cell proliferation and that “Further work is needed to confirm team1 led by Talal Mallah, from devices only if scientists find a way production. the risk of breast cancer patients large amounts of this protein may ICMMO2 and the Institut Lavoisier3 to manipulate their magnetism. And Taking its tests beyond polyox- CONTACT INFORMATION developing metastases and dying. facilitate cell growth. Conversely, a has now managed to isolate a single- as results indicate that the carbon ometalates, the team is now explor- Talal Mallah HP1α, as well as its two reduction of HP1α (not β and γ) molecule magnet (SMM) that keeps nanotube’s electronic properties ing the possibility of grafting other ICMMO, Orsay. isoforms β and γ, belongs to a family causes serious defects in dividing its memory storage capacity.4 help the SMM switch magnetic types of single magnetic molecules, [email protected] of proteins called epigenetic (non- cells, implicating HP1 in cell division. α FOCUS A Mandible that Speaks ANTHROPOLOGY Volumes Fossil excavation site of Ganle, a small A human mandible Out of Africa village in Myanmar. fragment belonging to a child and estimated to be The discovery of two new primate fossils, in Africa and in Asia, (Saki, Titi...), which nowadays 500,000 years old was ynal

use their canines to crack recently unearthed in the a supports the theory that Asia, not Africa, was the ancestral . R open tropical fruit to extract Thomas 1 quarry in .-P homeland of anthropoid primates. the nutritive seeds. “This Casablanca by a team of © J behavior is only found in French and Moroccan Part of a child’s mandible dating back 500,000 years was discovered monkeys and has never been archeologists co-directed this past May in Morocco. lucidating the origins of anthropoid be the most ancient anthropoid, approximately documented among extinct by Jean-Paul Raynal, of primates (the group humans, apes, and 50 million years old. “Its teeth were very similar or existing prosimians,” notes the PACEA1 laboratory. These are the only child remains ever monkeys belong to) and their relationship to those of Egyptian fossils that are more complete CNRS researcher Laurent found for this period in North Africa. Fossilized adult fragments Eto earlier and more primitive primates and unmistakable remnants of anthropoid pri- Marivaux. “Ganlea looks and had already been discovered at the quarry in 1969 and 2008, known as prosimians (the ancestors of lemurs mates,” says CNRS researcher Rodolphe Tabuce. acts like an anthropoid, not a and were attributed to Homo rhodesiensis, the immediate and tarsiers) has lately been a major area of inter- “So by extension, researchers assumed Algerip- prosimian,” he says. “These predecessor of Homo sapiens. The recent discovery suggests est in paleoanthropology. Until a decade ago, ithecus was an anthropoid too.” Nevertheless, two complementary findings that the dating for rhodesiensis, previously set at 300,000 years, most paleontologists believed anthropoid pri- much controversy surrounded this assumption. provide strong support to the should be revised. It also points to the fact that a population of mates originated in Africa, where the first fossils The excavation of additional jaw and skull hypothesis that anthropoid this exact type of hominin species was clearly settled in the were found. Yet the recent discovery of speci- fossils on the Algerian site suggests Algeripithecus primates originated in Asia area half a million years ago. The site provides the earliest mens in other parts of the world–47 million was in fact not an anthropoid but a prosimian.2 and could have later spread testimony to the existence of these hominids, so very close to

year-old remnants were found in China, and Fragments of a mandible display characteristics S to Africa.” becoming modern humans. later specimens in Thailand, Pakistan, and typical of lemur-like ancestors, like the presence Clémentine Wallace 1. De la Préhistoire à l’Actuel: Culture, Environnement et Anthropologie (CNRS / Myanmar (also known as Burma)–sowed doubts of a dental comb, used to clean the animal’s fur. Université Bordeaux-I / Ministry of culture and communication). 1. Institut des Sciences de on their geographical origins. “Anthropoids did not have dental combs, but Contact information: Jean-Paul Raynal, [email protected] l’Evolution (CNRS / Université Now, the hypothesis of an Asian birthplace prosimians did,” specifies Tabuce. Similarly, © L. Marivaux/CNR Montpellier-II). is further supported by two recent discoveries pieces of a skull suggest cranial nerve routes The same team has made yet another fragments of the lower jawbone and teeth of a 2. R. Tabuce et al., “Anthropoid vs. CONTACT INFORMATION made in Africa and in Asia by scientists including similar to those found in prosimians. “By discovery that further supports the theory of an new species of primates–Ganlea megacanina– strepsirhine status of the African Eocene primates Algeripithecus and Azibius: craniodental evidence,” ISEM, Montpellier. 1 researchers from CNRS’ ISEM in Montpellier. eliminating the Algeripithecus, the Egyptian Asian birthplace. In Myanmar (Asia), they exca- named after their greatly enlarged lower canine. Proc. Biol. Sci., 2009. [Epub ahead of print]. Laurent Marivaux Until now, the Algeripithecus primate, of specimens become the oldest African anthropoid vated a 37 million-year-old fossil–thus older than The jawbone’s morphology and marks found 3. K.C. Beard et al., “A new primate from [email protected] the Eocene Pondaung Formation of Myanmar which two fossilized teeth were discovered in fossils, dating back 30-37 million years,” explains the Egyptian fossils.3 The specimen is the second on the remaining teeth suggest feeding charac- Rodolphe Tabuce and the monophyly of Burmese amphipithecids,” [email protected] 1992 in the Algerian Sahara, was considered to Tabuce. oldest fossil found in Asia, and corresponds to teristics common to some modern monkeys Proc. Biol. Sci., 2009. 276: 3285-94. Montpellier 1 CNRS International Magazine n° 15 October 2009 CNRS International Magazine n° 15 October 2009 10 LIVEFROMTHELABS news LIVEFROMTHELABS 11

ENGINEERING Artist’s rendition of the recently discovered HLX-1 source (blue spot above the galactic bulb), Cloaking Ourselves from Disaster located in the ESO 243-49 spiral galaxy.

1 A team at the Institut Fresnel led by Stefan Enoch, in collaboration with observed by XMM-Newton in 2004, 2 researchers in the UK, have developed a novel approach to protect structures Marseille but the researchers needed to rescan from powerful earthquakes and Tsunamis. The secret? Make them invisible. the area in 2008 to confirm its 1 ASTROPHYSICS nature. This is the only black hole that has been observed in this galaxy istening to Sébastien Guenneau, researcher structures would have to be 10 nm), specially-built possible to replicate this type of structure to Closing in on so far, “but we are planning a battery at Marseille’s Institut Fresnel, invisibility metameterials3–as they are known–could be fine- shield oil platforms, and possibly entire coastlines of multiwavelength observations to is just around the corner. In fact, it already tuned to tackle microwaves (with structures in the from tsunamis and severe storms, though at this find out if this source is part of a star exists, but at wavelengths much longer millimeters). Two years later, Pendry and Smith scale, cost could become prohibitive. Intermediate-sized Black Holes cluster, which would have all the

L © H. Sagerud than our visible spectrum. “Our human eye can were able to shield an object from microwaves of But Guenneau and his colleagues didn’t stop gas necessary to make it grow,” he only detect electromagnetic waves between 440 a certain frequency by placing it at the center of there. Their current research5 tackles seismic sing the ESA’s XMM-Newton for years. A theory is that they are the works well for estimating the size of concludes. nm (purple) and 700 nm (red). But there’s a lot a metamaterial (12 cm in diameter) made up of waves. In the lab, they devised an elastic “thin X-ray space telescope, Olivier result of smaller black holes collid- supermassive black holes, inter- Saman Musacchio more out there, from radio waves (the longest, a system of concentric rings: the first successful plate” on which sits a cylinder 120 cm in diameter Godet1 and his colleagues at ing and continuously accreting more mediate-sized ones are more U 1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, anywhere between 1 m-1 km) all the way to invisibility cloak. and 1 cm in height representing the object to CESR2 believe they have found the matter. But if this is the case, why treacherous to identify because they University of Leicester, UK (now back at gamma rays (approximately 0.01 nm). All these “We realized that the principle would hold no shield. The metamaterial is in this case made “missing link” in black hole have we never been able to detect are far away, and they have a more CESR). 2. Centre d’Etude Spatiale des 3 electromagnetic waves can be detected because matter the type of wave: electromagnetic, acoustic, up of six different types of plastic polymers formation. A black hole is a region intermediate-sized black holes? limited impact on their immediate Rayonnements (CNRS / Université Paul objects either emit them (like stars), or reflect or mechanical, like waves moving on the surface arranged concentrically around the cylinder, each of space so dense that nothing–not There are at least two ways of surroundings. Sabatier). them–the reason you and I see each other. But of a liquid,” explains Guenneau. In 2008, the tuned to a specific wavelength. Vibrations hitting even light–can escape it. To date, identifying–and “weighing”–black Yet Godet and his colleagues are 3. S. Farrell et al., “An Intermediate Mass Black Hole of ≥ 500 Solar Masses in the what if we could make a cloak that would not team grabbed headlines with the promise of an the plate are deflected by this metamaterial, two types of black holes have been holes: by observing stars that orbit confident that the object that they Galaxy ESO 243-49,” Nature, 2009. 460: reflect them, but guide them around an object?” anti-tsunami shield4 which would manipulate leaving the central cylinder untouched. And if the observed: stellar ones, formed by an area of space that seems empty, have discovered at the edge of a 73-5. That object would become invisible. ocean waves to hide a central object. In the lab, model currently only works with surface the collapse of a star and which are (common for stellar mass black galaxy called ESO 243-49, more than “And this is no longer just theory,” Guenneau they created a metamaterial that consisted of an waves–the most destructive–theoretical work is relatively small (3-20 solar masses), holes), or by using powerful X-ray or 290 million light-years away, is an explains, referring to the incredible progress aluminum disc 20 centimeters in diameter in progress to bend coupled pressure and shear and supermassive ones (millions to Gamma-ray telescopes to scan the intermediate-sized black hole. made by the physicist John Pendry (Imperial covered by 7 concentric rows of pillars sur- body waves as well,”6 he explains, stating that they billions of solar masses) that can be universe for the energy emitted by Dubbed “Hyper-Luminous X-ray CONTACT INFORMATION College London) and his colleague David Smith rounding a flat center, and submerged under are in the process of filing a patent with CNRS found at the center of galaxies like a black hole’s accretion disc, as gas Source 1” (HLX-1), it has an Olivier Godet (Duke University), who stipulated in 2004 that the surface of a liquid. Waves that entered the for this elastic cloak, which would have potential our own. Yet the formation of the and dust spin faster and faster before estimated size of more than 500 CESR, Toulouse. for an object to become invisible to a specific maze would bounce off the pillars, cancel each applications ranging from the car industry to latter have stumped astrophysicists being swallowed up. If the latter solar masses. HLX-1 was first [email protected] electromagnetic wave, it would have to be sur- other out, and end up traveling around the aeronautics and anti-earthquake systems. From rounded by a material whose structures were “corridors” to exit on the opposite end of the cloaking stadiums from seismic waves to Toulouse ten times smaller than the wave itself. Though disc, leaving waters in the “eye” of the disc protecting oil platforms from tumultuous seas, 1 it is still impossible to tackle visible light (the relatively calm. The scientists believe it would be invisibility has never looked so promising. PALEONTOLOGY Top dentition of the Saman Musacchio proboscidean Eritherium 1. Laboratoire CNRS / Universités Aix- 1 Paris azzouzorum. h Marseille-I and -III / École Centrale Elephants Started Small h Marseille. © C. L

. Enoc 2. Alexander Movchan, Division of emzaouda e

© S Applied Mathematics (University of f elephants never forget, neither is its prominent incisors, the fore- The mammal’s prim- t P Liverpool, UK). does the Earth, safeguarding the runners of tusks. Eritherium itive state implies that pro- . L ouis/MNHN 3. These are materials not found in many traces of evolution–includ- azzouzorum has now become the boscideans underwent a rapid evo- nature, but built from one or more . Guenneau, S. Enoc . Guenneau, S. I materials, or by modifying existing ing those of elephants. For despite oldest-known member of the ele- lution spurt, one of which in size, at materials, to answer a specific function. having only three surviving species, phant order (proboscideans), unseat- the Paleocene-Eocene transition 55 They can be engineered using chemistry, physics, or mechanics. elephants have a strikingly long and ing the 55 million-year-old Phos- million years ago. The finding fur- © M. Farhat, S © M. Farhat, 4. M. Farhat et al., “Broadband rich history. A history even longer phatherium, found in upper levels of ther supports the idea of a swift Cylindrical Acoustic Cloak for Linear than previously believed, following the same basin by the same team. divergence of the extant African Surface Waves in a Fluid,” Phys. Rev. 3 Lett., 2008. 101: 134501. a discovery made through a French- Emmanuel Gheerbrant explains ungulate orders from their com- Above: Propagation 5. M. Farhat et al., “Ultrabroadband Moroccan program1 in the North that Eritherium is one of the earliest mon ancestor after the Cretaceous- elephant relatives and the rapid of surface waves on Elastic Cloaking in Thin Plates,” Phys. African country’s Ouled Abdoun fossil examples of modern placental Tertiary mass extinction, notably of radiation of African ungulates,” PNAS, a thin plate. The Rev. Lett., 2009. 103: 024301. 2009. 106: 10717-21. waves travel around 6. M. Brun et al., “Achieving control of phosphate basin: 60 million-year- orders, setting an “important mile- dinosaurs, 65 million years ago, 3. Centre de recherche sur la the area with the in-plane elastic waves,” App. Phys. Lett., old fossils of the elephant’s ancestor, stone” for calibrating the placental when an “extraordinary opportunity paléobiodiversité et les 2009. 94: 061903. obstacle. dating back to the Paleocene era.2 It tree. It is also the oldest African arose for other animals to evolve,” paléoenvironnements (MNHN / CNRS / Université Paris-VI). has been named Eritherium azzouzo- ungulate4 to date, suggesting ties concludes Gheerbrant. 4. A herbivorous mammal with hoofs, Left: Large-scale rum, after the Ouled Azzouz villagers between proboscideans and groups Fui Lee Luk claws, or nails. models of this small 5. Primitive early Tertiary ungulates with 5 structure (10 cm in CONTACT INFORMATION who helped recover the fossils. such as condylarths and elephant feet that had five hoofed toes. diameter) could Weighing just 4-5 kg, the mar- shrews. Eritherium’s extreme prim- 1. Paris Muséum National d’Histoire Institut Fresnel, Marseille. Naturelle (MNHN), Moroccan Ministry of make entire Sébastien Guenneau mot-like Eritherium may seem a far itiveness means that it is “close to the Energy and Mines, Office Chérifien des CONTACT INFORMATION coastlines or [email protected] cry from today’s large mammal, but ancestral form from which the initial Phosphates, Universities Cadi Ayyad Emmanuel Gheerbrant offshore platforms (Marrakech) and Chouaîb Doukkali (El Stefan Enoch MNHN, Paris. its teeth and skull remains belie a diversification of ungulates took Jadida). “invisible” to [email protected] [email protected] tsunamis. common lineage. One such example place,” declares Gheerbrant. 2. E. Gheerbrant, “Paleocene emergence of

CNRS International Magazine n° 15 October 2009 CNRS International Magazine n° 15 October 2009 12 LIVEFROMTHELABS news LIVEFROMTHELABS 13

ENVIRONMENT COMPUTER SCIENCE 1Paris ccording to Cathy Clerbaux, to other environmental effects. It images, and then create a global map Strasbourg1 First Global Map of from LATMOS,1 the first comes from many sources, some of ammonia emissions worldwide. Memories of the Future Aglobal map of ammonia natural, but the bulk is a result of Their map was a wake-up call. It Ammonia Sources emissions2 came about nearly by agricultural activities. Despite revealed many sources of the gas that accident. Her team, collabo- ammonia’s far-reaching effects, had been previously unknown, and it Scientists at CNRS have worked with the binary coding found in rating with researchers in there is very little data on global showed high ammonia-concentration electronic devices to allow for a smoother encryption and viewing of Belgium, had been analyzing emission levels. The gas tends to regions in South Asia, Europe, and stored data. This promises significant memory optimization in data from the Infrared Atmos- stay in the atmosphere for a short California. pheric Sounding Interferom- period of time–a few hours at most “We will continue to monitor miniature computers. eter (IASI) on the MetOp satel- –making satellite observations ammonia to determine how the lite (IASI/MetOp) designed almost impossible. Global data was sources evolve and change over the wo CNRS teams have focused their of the polarization within the device. With for operational meteorologi- therefore limited to a patchwork of years,” says Clerbaux. Now that her research on refining the manipulation tunnelling, one can detect these amounts, and cal soundings with a very high Earth-based measurements. team has shown it is possible to observe and readout of polarization and magne- decipher the data’s binary code. “We have found level of accuracy. Their goal “When we were analyzing our ammonia from the skies, the MetOp Ttization states used to encode information the right conditions so that the layers can was to learn as much as pos- data, there was a very weak signal follow-on satellite currently in devel- respectively in ferroelectric and ferromagnetic maintain their ferroelectric quality in spite of sible about the chemistry of that we could not identify. It turned opment could be designed to measure memory systems. This type of so-called non- their very thin dimensions. The main advantage

S the Earth’s atmosphere. This out to be ammonia,” explains these emissions more accurately. volatile memory uses electric and magnetic is that one can view the information without entailed studying concentra- Clerbaux. Although the IASI/MetOp Mark Reynolds signals to access data that can be stored long destroying it,” explains Bibes. tions of atmospheric carbon satellite, launched in 2006, was not 1. Laboratoire atmosphères, milieux, term, even when the device is not powered. In a related study, Jean-Yves Bigot’s group3 monoxide, methane, ozone, designed to observe ammonia, its observations spatiales (CNRS / Universités Volatile memory, on the other hand, disappears managed to increase the magnetic memory access Paris-VI and Versailles-Saint-Quentin). and other persistent gases. two passes over the Earth’s entire 2. C. Lieven et al., “Global ammonia distribution as soon as the computer is off. rate by speeding up the process of magnetization Ammonia (NH3), however, surface every 24 hours generate mil- derived from infrared satellite observations,” Manuel Bibes and co-workers, from reversal required to view the data. The researchers had not been on the agenda. lions of observations a day. By accu- Nature Geoscience, 2009. 2: 479-83. CNRS/Thales,1 have made major advances in obtained this by shining very short laser pulses 2 4 SI-NH3/ULB & LATMOS/INSU-CNR Ammonia is a pollutant mulating data over a one-year period, CONTACT INFORMATION the use of ferroelectric memory (FeRAM). Up to on a thin metallic ferromagnetic film. The action

© IA that contributes to the forma- the team was able to compensate Cathy Clerbaux now FeRAM, which is actually faster than the takes place within a millionth of a billionth of a tion of airborne particles for the gas’s weak signal by filter- LATMOS, Paris. flash memory used in most electronic devices, second, which is 100,000 times faster than the Global distribution of ammonia in 2008, as measured by the IASI instrument on the [email protected] MetOp satellite. The yellow to red colors indicate high ammonia concentrations. harmful to human health, and ing out background “noise” in their was hindered by a limited storage density and by swiftest devices on today’s market. According to a “destructive” data readout process (the voltage Bigot, “the brief laser pulse triggers a magneti- sweeps that read the tiny current peaks also zation reversal much more effectively than the destroy the data). To fix this problem, the team slower pulses produced by an electric current or SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY showed that the direction of the polarization a simple magnetic field.” (0 or 1) may be more simply read in terms of the The goal is to reduce the focusing of the

Clermont-Ferrand magnitude of the tunnel current passing laser beam so that the Incivilities: Who Reacts? 1 across an ultrathin ferroelectric film: It memory’s code may be turns out that the amount of tunnel accessed within an n a sidewalk, a pedestrian in “individualist” countries such as current varies depending on the direction increasingly tiny vol- tosses a used tissue right next the UK and the US, a category that ume–paving the way Right: Tunnel Oto a trash can. On a bus, a also includes France, although to a electroresistance for an even further passenger talks loudly on his phone. lesser extent. “In ‘collectivist’ cartography of a miniaturization of elec- . Bigot

Will these individuals be asked by cultures, individuals feel more BaTiO3 thin film .-Y tronic devices, as in the

others to correct their behavior? The dependent upon each other, and (conductive-tip atomic © J FeRAM/ tunnelling dis- force microscope answer is “probably,” if it occurs in consider the whole community as an covery. The market is likely to quickly capitalize y Images/Blend Images

t technique). The Spain, but “not likely” if this hap- integral part of their own identity,” different colors on these high-speed technologies, which prom- pens in the US or the UK. These Brauer explains. In the same line, correspond to square ise to reduce costs and energy consumption, as are the findings of Markus Brauer, previous studies from the same lab- shaped ferroelectric well as increase storage density and longevity. a CNRS researcher in social psy- oratory suggested that individuals domains of different Melisande Middleton polarities rotated at

1 hales chology who has compared the reac- are more likely to reproach uncivil Zacharias/Get . Lund/P. 45° angles. 1. CNRS / Thales / Université Paris-XI, in collaboration with S/T tions of inhabitants of eight western behavior if they feel personally © J the University of Cambridge. countries2 when faced with 46 types affected by it. “Thus, intervention short, to combat common uncivil According to Markus Brauer, people Far right: Inscription 2. V. Garcia et al. “Giant tunnel electroresistance for non- destructive readout of ferroelectric states,” Nature, 2009. sique CNR of uncivil behavior, such as cutting depends on how individuals behavior, there is nothing so effec- are more likely to react to this man’s on a film of CoPt3 using y femtosecond laser 460: 81-4. into a line, degrading buildings with define themselves,” concludes the tive as feeling at home... everywhere. rude behavior in Spain than in 3. Institut de physique et de chimie des matériaux de Germany. pulses. graffiti, or urinating in the street.3 researcher. “For some, the ‘self’ only Stéphanie Arc Strasbourg (CNRS / Université de Strasbourg). 4. J.-Y. Bigot et al., “Coherent ultrafast magnetism induced by Brauer wants to understand why includes their home, while for 1. Laboratoire de psychologie sociale et integration in the different groups that femtosecond laser pulses,” Nature Physics, 2009. 5: 515-20. certain individuals express their others, it also includes their neigh- cognitive (CNRS / Clermont Université). make up society (close family, distant 2. The US, UK, Germany, Belgium, France, family, etc.). www.geert-hofstede.com disapproval of such misdemeanors borhood, or even the whole city.” In Italy, Spain, and Portugal. ehouane/Unité Mixte de Ph 3. M. Brauer and N. Chaurand, “Descriptive CONTACT INFORMATION while others do not. The scientist the latter case, any incivility, espe- ouz found that in Portugal, Spain, and cially if it debases the environment, norms, prescriptive norms, and social Manuel Bibes control: An intercultural comparison of Thales, Palaiseau. Italy–countries defined by “collec- is perceived as a personal assault. people’s reactions to uncivil behaviors,” CONTACT INFORMATION usil, K. B [email protected] . F tivist cultures” according to Geert And even if expressed in the form Europ. J. Soc. Psychol., 2009. Markus Brauer Jean-Yves Bigot Hofstede4–people are more inclined of a courteous remark, their reaction DOI: 10.1002/ejsp.640 LAPSCO, Clermont-Ferrand. IPCMS, Strasbourg.

4. Geert Hofstede defined indicators that . Garcia, S

[email protected] V [email protected]

to reproach uncivil behavior than can be defined as self-defense. In reflect the mean degree of individual ©

CNRS International Magazine n° 15 October 2009 CNRS International Magazine n° 15 October 2009 14 LIVEFROMTHELABS news LIVEFROMTHELABS 15

MINERALOGY High resolution electron microscopy POLLUTION CONTROL of an inclusion (center) with NanoSIMS images (around) showing 15 Paris1 Origins of the Solar System Revisited enrichment in N (yellow dots). A Fungus that ix years ago, not far from the Team member Giacomo Briani showed the highest values of the of the primordial organic matter,” Siberian village of Isheyevo, a explains that the meteorite was 15N/14N ratio ever recorded in a says Briani. Decontaminates Soil Russian farmer happened found to contain several meteorite.2 “Solar system origin Though Isheyevo has left a huge

S VI, et G. Briani, LMCM aris across a strange rock in one of his “intrusions.” These are small assem- models we have at present explain impact crater in our under- Using a fungus that is able to degrade pesticide derivatives, researchers

fields. Little did he know, but the 16- blages of minerals called xenoliths this nitrogen isotopic composition standing of the solar system, ersité P kilogram meteorite he had discov- (literally “foreign rock”) that have as being caused by reactions Briani says that the stone is have found a promising means of remediating cultivated land. ered was a key to understanding the an origin different from that of the between ions and molecules in the billions of years old–and there-

formation of the early solar system. other components of the host mete- interstellar medium,” explains fore a cache of information oudouma, Univ fter several decades of modern intensive of the fungus. They planted lettuce seeds (known

Researchers working at LMCM1 orite. The Isheyevo xenoliths contain Briani. And according to those about the free-floating inter- . B farming, much research is now aimed for their sensitivity to 3,4-DCA) in a soil have discovered that the Isheyevo basic organic matter, which includes models, the high concentrations of stellar soup that would eventually © O at purging our soils of numerous sub- containing the pollutant, but which had been meteorite carried within it a record elements such as hydrogen and heavy nitrogen should be accom- coalesce into the solar system. Astances of industrial origin. One treated with the fungus for three days. The salad of the history of Earth’s immediate nitrogen. “The usual interpretation panied by high levels of deuterium Mark Reynolds promising solution may come from an ordinary seeds germinated normally, even at an extremely neighborhood. And though it is is that the organic matter formed (a hydrogen isotope). But since the filamentous fungus, Podospora anserina.1 A high concentration of the pollutant, thus proving impossible to unequivocally identify before the solar system, in the Isheyevo xenolith lacks the levels of 1. Laboratoire de minéralogie et collaborative study2 led by Philippe Silar (IGM) irrefutably the remediation capacity of Podospora cosmochimie du Muséum (CNRS / the specific parent body of this interstellar medium,” says Briani. deuterium that would seem to be Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle). CONTACT INFORMATION and Jean-Marie Dupret (BFA) has shown that anserina. This fungus presents another 2. G. Briani et al., “Pristine extraterrestrial Paris1 meteorite, it is believed to have The Isheyevo xenoliths have unique required by its nitrogen levels, those Giacomo Briani Podospora anserina is indeed capable of “digesting” considerable advantage as a candidate for soil broken off from an asteroid, possibly variations in their nitrogen isotopic models are now in question: “It is a material with unprecedented nitrogen MNHN, Paris. pollutant molecules by chemically modifying remediation: it multiplies by sexual reproduction. isotopic variation,” PNAS, 2009. 106: [email protected] after a giant impact. composition–in fact, one sample problem that concerns the evolution 10522-7. them, using one of its enzymes. Indeed, where To prevent its uncontrollable proliferation, simply another living species might have perished, this inoculating strains of only one mating type will fungus assimilates the pollutant and transforms make the fungus disappear after a certain period it into a harmless substance, thus remediating the of time. environment. However, before field-scale trials can begin, Because fungi constitute a remarkable reser- the team needs to answer a few questions: How S) IN BRIEF voir of enzymes with astonishing properties, the can the fungus be produced in large quantities? scientists decided to test the resistance of several Does it need to be buried, or can it just be spread species of molds to a major class of pollutants, on the soil surface? Only once they have the Melatonin Slows aromatic amines. Two of them survived, indi- results of these preliminary experiments will the cating that these fungi are endowed with enzymes scientists consider testing the method under atoire de Paris/UPMC/CNR

v that allow them to “digest” these aromatic amines. real-life conditions. the Effects of Aging The researchers chose to focus their efforts on Caroline Dangléant Podospora anserina, which is already well-known 1. M. Martins et al., “An acetyltransferase conferring Melatonin, known as the "sleep hormone," to research, and whose genome has been entirely tolerance to toxic aromatic amine chemicals: molecular and © IMCCE (Obser slows the appearance of signs of aging in sequenced. They were able to identify, clone, functional studies,” J Biol. Chem., 2009. 284: 18726-33. Example of long-term 2. Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative (BFA) shrews,1 according to a study by and purify an enzyme involved in these resistance ASTROPHYSICS evolution of the planetary (CNRS / Université Paris-VII); Institut de Génétique et researchers at the Arago laboratory in mechanisms: PaNAT2. To define its role more Microbiologie (IGM) (CNRS / Université Paris-XI); orbits: Mercury (white), Interfaces, traitements, organisation et dynamique des 1 2 precisely, Silar’s team produced mutated strains Paris Venus (green), Earth (blue), Banyuls-sur-Mer. Naturally secreted at systèmes (ITODYS) (CNRS / Université Paris-VII). Future Collisions in the Solar System Mars (red). Time is night in vertebrates, melatonin allows the in which the gene for the PaNAT2 enzyme was indicated in thousands of organism to synchronize with the inactivated, and challenged them with a deriva- CONTACT INFORMATION ver since Newton, astronomers Gastineau, recently used the new rotation of the ellipse in space) years (kyr). Various tive of a pesticide found in some types of agri- scenarios show possible circadian rhythm (day/night alternations). Jean-Marie Dupret have been trying to understand Jade supercomputer at the French through the planets’ gravitational collisions between the With age, however, the quantity of cultural land, 3,4-dichloroaniline (3,4-DCA). In Unité BFA, Paris. [email protected] Ethe gravitational interactions National Computing Center to do interactions but without any of them planets. melatonin synthesized by the organism a liquid medium, about 45% of the pollutant of planets to predict their orbits. the 7 million hours of calculations being ejected or colliding. However, drops until it disappears. Presenescent was degraded by the normal strain of Podospora The movements of the planets in needed to chart the motions of in about 1% of cases, Mercury’s five billion years. “The next step is shrews (i.e.,14-16 months old for anserina after 3 days, versus only 5% by the our Solar System were thought to be planets in 2500 different scenarios eccentricity (the elongation of its to try to predict the earliest date at mutated strain of the fungus. “This . Sila

laboratory animals) receiving a steady © P mostly stable and predictable, with over the next 5 billion years.2 Jade orbit) increases dramatically–up to which a collision with Earth could delivery of melatonin showed delayed proves unambiguously that the slight but regular modifications. took only five months to do the 0.9. This may lead, in one case, to occur,” concludes Laskar. signs of aging as compared to non-treated PaNAT2 enzymatic pathway is This changed in 1989, when French maths. In each simulation, minute an increase in Mars’ eccentricity, Marion Girault-Rime animals. In particular, the characteristic involved in the ability of this fun- astronomer Jacques Laskar demon- changes were made to Mercury’s which in turn results in a total desta- 1. Institut de mécanique céleste et de calcul age-related troubles in locomotor activity gus to tolerate certain aromatic strated that the Solar System’s inner orbit (0.38 mm sequentially), taking bilization of the Solar System des éphémérides (CNRS / Observatoire de were delayed by three months in the molecules,” explains Dupret. planetary orbits were in fact largely into account the moon, the eight approximately 3.4 billion years from Paris / Université Paris-VI). treated animals, which represent a 10% The scientists then tested 2. J. Laskar et al., “Existence of collisional chaotic, and that this could even planets and Pluto’s contributions, now. In this latter scenario, Mars trajectories of Mercury, Mars and Venus lifespan increase. This study shows that the remediation (i.e., soil lead to a collision between Mercury as well as Einstein’s general relativity. has a 2.5% chance of being ejected, with the Earth,” Nature, 2009. 459: 817-9. melatonin, otherwise known for decontamination) capacity and Venus on billion-year time All simulations start the same, but whereas the other solutions lead to alleviating sleep disorders and for its frames. Could this happen before after tens of millions of years, planets colliding with each other, antioxidant and antidepressant properties, After fertilization, Podospora our sun begins to die, in 5 billion variations begin to accumulate and and a 24% chance of the Earth being CONTACT INFORMATION could also play a role in the process of anserina develops fruiting years? trajectories start to diverge. In most involved in such a collision. bodies (small furry pear- Jacques Laskar aging. shaped outgrowth about To find out, Laskar,1 together cases, the Solar System is unaffected: Astronomers are quite sure that IMCCE, Paris. [email protected] 1. E. Magnanou et al., PLoS One, 2009. 4: e5904. 0.75 mm long) that protect the with fellow researcher Mickaël Orbits deform and precess (a slow a collision could happen in less than 2. CNRS / Université Paris-VI. reproduction events.

CNRS International Magazine n° 15 October 2009

16 LIVEFROMTHELABS On location Profile LIVEFROMTHELABS 17

CATHERINE MARRY, SOCIOLOGIST her meeting with CNRS sociologist Anne-Marie Beyond the Glass Ceiling Daune-Richard, who was investigating women at work, that she really became involved in the subject. Together, they explored a topic that she One of the first to identify–and boldly state–that girls did better than feels strongly about: women who opt for “male” boys at school, Marry has dedicated her research to gender careers. Somewhat out of tune with the feminist discrimination, at school, at home, but mostly at work, where she theories of the time, which decried the exploitation of women, Marry, fired with the continues to inspire others to follow in her footsteps. desire to get her ideas across, was more interested in the possibilities of transforming gender How will coccolithophores, t took me quite some time to think of myself number of workers, there were more managers relations. “At that point, I had found my path.” single-celled algae covered by as a feminist. When I was young, I was prob- in France than in Germany.” Through sociological In 1985, she had already joined LASMAS,4 where a calcareous skeleton, react to ably more of a misogynist,” laughingly admits studies, they realized that if French managers she focused on women engineers, a seemingly ocean acidification? Tara Ocean may provide some answers. Catherine Marry, a sociologist and CNRS sen- were on average overpaid, it was paradoxically obscure subject. As a result, she intensified her I 1 ior researcher at the Centre Maurice Halbwachs because their professional training was not as well research in the sociology of education. “I was Only 36 meters long, the Tara in Paris. An unexpected revelation, coming from recognized as that of their German counterparts. one of the first to show that girls did better at schooner is relatively small for a researcher who, 20 years ago, started analyzing In Germany, managers received in-depth training school than boys. Right from the start, I felt that an oceanographic vessel, and oung/The Natural History Natural Museum, London oung/The Y can therefore adapt to difficult the gender relationships–and the inequality and thus had greater professional legitimacy. It this was a seismic change.” In 1991, she obtained suffered by women–both in school and at work. was then not necessary to grant them power a position as a researcher at CNRS.

eremy eremy sampling conditions. And especially as she recently jointly published through a higher salary. These results created Her second key encounter was with sociol- a guide2 on “how to put an end to male considerable stir. “But surprisingly, we had com- ogist Margaret Maruani, with whom–among .Latreille/taraexpeditions.org

© F domination.” Her work and involvement exposing pletely excluded women from the study,” Marry others–she founded the “Labor Markets and © Courtesy of J THE TARA MISSION “Due to the ship’s relatively small size, it can some of the gender inequalities in our society won recalls, still amazed at the omission. “Part-timers, Gender” (MAGE) European Research Network only host five scientists, but a large number of her the 2008 mentoring prize (Prix du Mentorat), maternity leave, extremely varied jobs, etc.: We in 1995, a “stimulating” multidisciplinary researchers from all over the world–especially awarded by the jury of the Irène Joliot-Curie found that all of this upset our analysis.” As the exchange group which focused on issues of Marine Life Survey colleagues from CNRS–are part of this project: Prize for her remarkable initiative to help young study went on, Marry, who believes economics is sexual inequality both at school and in the family, oceanographers, biologists, geneticists, physicists, women early in their careers. Indeed, she is “out of touch with reality,” became increasingly or at work. MAGE, which she headed for four etc.,” adds Karsenti. Onboard imaging systems involved in many associations that encourage drawn to sociology. But it wasn’t until 1983 and years (1999-2003), rapidly garnered European Sailing the oceans from September 2009 to 2012, an international enable them to rapidly receive initial images of and promote women in the recognition. The introductory sem- team of researchers on board the schooner Tara will investigate the the organisms collected, which is likely to lead to scientific field. As the leader of inar into male/ female issues that abundance and diversity of bacterial and planktonic life. the discovery of many new species. the “Professions, Networks, Orga- Marry has conducted at EHESS The aim is also to improve our understand- nization” (PRO) group, made up since 2001 has met with the same ing of ocean-climate interactions, and to predict of approximately 40 researchers, success. But she is realistic: “We his September, the schooner Tara set sail sail with prevailing winds, thus limiting our their evolution. “The seas and oceans produce half research engineers, academics, benefited from the increasing pop- from Lorient, France, for the Mediter- fossil fuel consumption.” the oxygen we breathe and absorb 50% of overall and PhD students, Marry encour- ularity of gender studies that

ranean, then the Persian Gulf, the Indian The mission follows on from the Tara Arctic CO2 emitted into the atmosphere, half of which ages her teams to give a “gender started in the late 80s.” For TOcean, and beyond. It is due to return at expedition, which had the schooner locked in stem from human activity. And if we know that dimension” to their work, whether although she is resolutely the end of 2012. “By then, it will have sailed Arctic pack ice, drifting with it for two years (and these properties are mainly due to planktonic it is about trade unions, artists, optimistic, Marry, who has just across most of the world’s seas and oceans,” says across a distance of 1800 km) to study climate organisms, we still need more experimental data or career networking. completed a report on women biologist Éric Karsenti, a CNRS researcher on change phenomena at high latitudes. Tara Ocean’s to understand and quantify how this ‘biological Although Marry initially stud- biologists at CNRS, knows how temporary assignment to the European Molec- mission is focused on understanding and carbon pump’ works, and how climate change is ied economics, chosen “by default” difficult it can be for her fellow ular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany, assessing the impact of global warming–and the affecting it. A major question for anyone trying and because “it was a field domi- women to pursue their careers. and co-director of the Tara Ocean expedition. acidification of the oceans that accompanies to predict future climate change is to find out how nated by men,” she rapidy moved “I’ve been really lucky, but we “This voyage, roughly the equivalent to circling it–on the life of marine micro-organisms. these planktonic ecosystems will adapt to global to sociology. After she completed mustn’t forget that for many the globe twice, will have taken us through areas It is exploring in particular the world of warming and pollution,” Karsenti explains. a diploma of higher education in women, the glass ceiling hasn’t that are extremely varied in terms of biological plankton, an ecosystem whose diversity and All the data gathered, with their GPS position, industrial relations in 1971, Marry, disappeared.” resources, biodiversity, and human impact on working mechanisms are poorly understood. As will be fed into an integrated public database, the then 23, joined the LEST,3 in Aix- Stéphanie Arc the environment. Furthermore, the route lets us the ship sails on, the on-board instruments can Bio-Bank. This will create a reference for future en-Provence, a laboratory involved 1. CNRS / ENS Paris / EHESS Paris / collect a host of data from the surface all the way research into climate change’s effects on marine in labor economy and sociology. A Université de Caen. down to a depth of 1000 meters. These include ecosystems and the ocean carbon pump. “And as year later, together with two 2. Ilana Löwy and Catherine Marry, Pour en finir avec la domination masculine. De A physical, chemical, and biological measurements Tara continues its journey, we will be able to draw research engineers, she took part à Z (Paris: Les Empêcheurs de penser en like temperature, salinity, pH, and biomass up a ‘functional map’ of the oceans, which will be in the “France-Germany Com- rond / Seuil, 2007). density of sea water, as well as carbon flux from available online to help raise public awareness parison,” which was then one of 3. Laboratoire d’économie et de sociologie du travail (CNRS/ Universités Aix- the surface to the sea floor. But the planktonic about these issues,” Karsenti concludes. the biggest projects in the social Marseille-I and -II). organisms themselves are also picked up for Marie Lescroart sciences. They observed that 4. Former name of the Centre Maurice research. The collected samples, ranging from French managers were better paid Halbwachs. protists (a group of unicellular organisms), to CONTACT INFORMATION than their German counterparts. viruses, bacteria, microalgae, microcrustaceans, Éric Karsenti “Economic theory was unable to CONTACT INFORMATION y/CNRS Photothèque y/CNRS and larvae of various organisms, are then pack- EMBL, Heidelberg. explain these differences by the Catherine Marry aged on board and sent to the various laborato- [email protected] relative scarcity of the workforce, Centre Maurice Halbwachs, Paris.

Roadmap for Tara, which will travel 150,000 km on . Godefro http://oceans.taraexpeditions.org [email protected]

four oceans and many seas, stopping in 50 countries. ries taking part in the mission. because relative to the total © S

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18 COVERSTORY COVERSTORY 19

THE HIDDEN TALENTS of Chemistry s ; LRMF ty Pushing full throttle into the 21st century, the field of chemistry is going through major changes and garnering much attention. Last May, French academic and industrial actors in chemistry A Rejuvenated made a joint declaration announcing their commitment to develop sustainable–also known as Industrial Sector rin/CNRS Photothèque ; Garf rin/CNRS er green–chemistry, key to preventing pollution at its source. Throughout this feature, it is the ith an estimated yearly to end consumers. Chemistry Vrignaud/CNRS Photothèque ; © G. Rolle/REA Vrignaud/CNRS . revenue of Û82 billion, Û3 is thus a motor for innovation in

entire discipline that will be explored, with its far-ranging applications into fields as vital as billion of investment in all industrial sectors.” OTO y Images ; E. P

t research and develop- And although this industry health (food quality analysis, water and air monitoring, or even natural cosmetic products), and ment, and approximately must constantly innovate to AFP PH W200,000 employees, France’s chemical meet market needs, it also has .Sartore/Get as surprising as culture (what works of art can tell us about our heritage). Chemistry is indeed a industry is an international heavyweight, the to overcome certain challenges,

second largest producer in Europe today and the first of which is shedding © ROQUETTE/ source of innovation that is often active where it is least expected, as CNRS researchers are ranking fifth worldwide. Within the country, the negative image it has long The Roquette plant in GREENER, AND IN ALL AREAS it is the third largest industrial sector after suffered from. Following Lestrem (Pas-de- Since the early 1990s, following increas- ournilhac, L. Leibler/CNRS Photothèque ; F ournilhac, L. Leibler/CNRS T . F keen to explain. the automobile and steel industries. Bernard industrial accidents–like the Calais) where CNRS is ing concern over environmental, health, and Chambon, president of France’s Union of 2001 explosion at a chemical participating in the safety issues, there has been a growing

DR ; Olivier/Fotolia.com ; J © DR ; Olivier/Fotolia.com Biohub project to 1 Chemical Industries (UIC), explains that one factory (AZF) in Toulouse–but develop chemical interest in “ecological chemistry.” Europe is of the reasons for this success is that chem- also pharmaceutical disasters molecules from in fact allocating many resources to this area A REJUVENATED INDUSTRIAL SECTOR 19 /// CHEMISTRY SET AT THE MUSEUM 21 /// istry is the “industry of industries.” He con- like thalidomide2 or the cereals. to combat global warming, aiming to remain > > fidently assesses that “more than 70% of the harmful effects of pesticides, the world leader in sustainable development. THE CHEMISTRY OF COSMETICS > 22 /// TRACKING DOWN FRAUD > 24 /// products manufactured by the chemical chemical industry has had a bad reputation “Chemistry is essential for reaching this industry are destined for use by other indus- for many years, casting a shadow over its objective, as it will provide other industries NEW MATERIALS > 25 /// ENVIRONMENTAL SENTINELS > 27 trial sectors, while less than 30% go directly many innovations. with cleaner technological solutions that >

CNRS International Magazine n5°1October 2009 CNRS International Magazine 5n°1October 2009 20 COVERSTORY COVERSTORY 21

Catalysis is one of the identified eight priority areas: Chemistry Set at the Museum eight high-priority toxicology and analysis areas for French methods, nanomaterials and research in chemistry. intelligent materials, energy here is a false assumption that navel. “A gemologist was This honeycomb catalyzer is developed management and the exploita- chemists have little to do at a unsure about the nature of by BASF for use in tion of CO2, biotechnologies, museum. Although Old Masters’ these incrustations. An X-ray catalytic converters. renewable resources, molecular statues or ancient musical instru- spectrum obtained in just five electronics, water, and cataly- ments tend to be the prerogative minutes showed the presence sis. “We are one step ahead in many of these Tof art historians and archeologists, some of of aluminum oxide and fields, though competition from the US and the secrets of these works of art would have chromium in the gems, China is increasingly fierce,” explains Olivier remained unsolved if chemistry had not been demonstrating they were Homolle, president of France’s Chemical involved. “Part of the history of objects and rubies, and not glass paste,” Society (SCF)4 and the French subsidiary of lifestyle of previous generations has been explains Philippe Walter, BASF, the largest chemical company in the recorded at an elemental and molecular level a physical chemist and world. “We have the skills and the know-how, in ancient materials,” explains Martine Regert director of France’s leading igears

and it’s our job to put them to good use.” from a Nice-based center specialized in museum restoration laboratory V . . Mazel V

1 3 , Laurianne Geffroy archeometry and archeology (CEPAM). “It (LC2RMF). This type of tech- , D 1. Union des industries chimiques. (www.uic.fr) is this information that the chemist can seek nique can also reveal impuri- © C2RMF 2. At the end of the 1950s, this drug was prescribed to out.” Using increasingly sophisticated ties in materials, which are © C2RMF pregnant women to prevent nausea, but caused severe technology, chemistry can investigate our excellent clues to determining previously believed. We therefore have malformations in several thousand fetuses throughout Analysis of a sample the world. heritage and inform us on forgotten cultural their original source. For the of patina (right) from a evidence of the use of a new material at this 3. Conseil Stratégique des Industries Chimiques. practices, the know-how of an artist, or the Goddess Ishtar, for example, Dogon statuette (left) site, as well as a new trade route running

SF 4. Société chimique de France. (www.sfc.fr) revealed the use of A transformations undergone by a work of art traces of metals indicated the from the East African coast to Yemen.” animal blood during © B over time. This information is as valuable to source of the rubies–Burma– certain rituals. > consume less energy and fewer raw SETTING PRIORITIES scientists as it is to restorers and curators. showing that even at that time, AT THE HEART OF CULTURES materials,” explains Chambon. When a new To meet these challenges, the aptly named CONTACT INFORMATION about 2000 years ago, a gem trade existed Though this type of research still requires a Bernard Chambon, [email protected] generation of hydrogen fuel cells or photo- “Chemical Challenges and innovations” UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE between South-East Asia and Mesopotamia. sample to be collected, technological Brigitte Diers, [email protected] voltaic panels is developed, the entire working group of France’s Chemical OF AN OBJECT The same spectacular results have been developments have led to some astonishing automobile and housing industries will Industries Strategic Council (COSIC)3 has Olivier Homolle, [email protected] The first objective when reconstituting the achieved with organic materials (wax, resin, results. A fine example is described by Pascale benefit from the ensuing reduction in energy history of an object is to understand its true perfumes, etc.). However, they present a Richardin, from LC2RMF, and her colleagues, consumption, leading to decreased carbon nature. Its composition in inorganic minor drawback: A sample needs to be who detected traces of blood on a small, 1mm3 dioxide emissions. A PROGRAM materials2–like metals or glass–can be studied collected, and in many cases, destroyed. Using chip of patina from some 14th century Dogon The European regulation REACH, for directly without damaging the object. For analytical chemistry methods based on statuettes from Africa. “By coupling molecular “Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and FOR A SUSTAINABLE WORLD example, simply placing a statuette of the chromatography4 and mass spectrometry,5 imaging and mass spectrometry–which offers Restriction of Chemicals,” introduced in Three questions to Isabelle Rico-Lattes, head of CNRS’ cross-disciplinary Goddess Ishtar, discovered in Mesopotamia Regert was able to identify fragments of resin micrometric resolution–with synchrotron 2007, has also pushed chemistry towards a program on “Chemistry for Sustainable Development.”1 in 1863, in the beam of the Aglaé particle found at the site of the medieval port of infrared microspectroscopic imaging,6 we cleaner future. It requires industry to prove accelerator (which is located in the basement Sharma, in Yemen: “It transpires that these managed to localize on the same the safety of chemical products with respect What is the aim of this program, innovation. In the context of the like to integrate human and social of the Louvre Museum), revealed precious fragments were copal from East Africa or spot both heme molecules and iron ions, two to human health and the environment. initiated in 2006? CNRS cross-disciplinary sciences researchers in our work information about the stones in its eyes and Madagascar, and not frankincense, as components that confirmed it was “Specifically, the objective is to verify Isabelle Rico-Lattes: Its objective AMAZONIE program, for so that together with chemists, blood,” explains Alain Brunelle, senior so-called ‘existing substances’ that were put was really to develop a tool that example, a team of ecologists they can reflect on the role that researcher at ICSN.7 This unique finding is on the market before 1981–before adequate could federate French research and chemists is studying the chemistry can play in a of major importance to historians, as it toxicity tests were required–and to eliminate on chemistry for sustainable molecules that certain trees emit sustainable society. We need to confirms the use of animal blood during those that present a risk,” explains Brigitte development. Four networks, to protect themselves from fungi. fully embrace people’s fears and certain Dogon rituals. Diers, responsible for Health and Safety at involving CNRS institutes and The mechanism of action of these questions, and meet their There is yet another area where chemistry CNRS’ Institute of Chemistry (INC). Between other research organizations, fungi is in fact analogous with expectations in a transparent can provide useful insight: when looking into 2009 and 2018, more than 300,000 were thus set up, such as the one that of certain human mycoses. If manner. We have not yet grasped the practices of an artist. Using crystallography substances produced in or imported into called “Renewable resources as we can identify the chemical the full measure of the original to examine minerals in the Issenheim altar- Europe will be analyzed and registered with starting materials, a source of structure of these antifungal findings–in terms of novel piece, the famous work by Matthias the European Chemicals Agency in Helsinki, novel products and materials,” molecules, we may very well concepts–that will emerge from Grünewald on display in Colmar (France), starting with those used in quantities that for which INRA2 is closely discover a new source of chemistry with respect to scientists8 were able to show that the artist exceed 1000 metric tons per year. In addition, involved with CNRS. medicinal products for humans. sustainable development. did not use the same white lead for the under mutagenic, carcinogenic, and toxic Interview by Laurianne Geffroy and top layers. “This agrees with historical substances, which constitute a risk to human documents mentioning that Why is the cross-disciplinarity of What are your objectives for the 1. Chimie pour le développement reproduction or a threat to aquatic species, By analyzing the three types of white lead were this program so important? years to come? durable (CPDD). statuette of the will also have to be registered before I.R.-L.: Because a lot of progress I.R.-L.: We would like to develop 2. Institut scientifique de recherche Goddess Ishtar available on the Frankfurt agronomique. November 2010. “This regulation is very is expected if chemists work in new links between chemistry and (Mesopotamia), the market at the beginning of the ambitious, but will be beneficial to both the closer relation with other other disciplines, such as Aglaé particle 16th century. The painter thus environment and the consumers. It will also Contact Information: accelerator was able certainly chose extremely fine, disciplines. This is how it will gain ecology, ecological engineering, Isabelle Rico-Lattes, to identify the incrus- act as an incentive for finding safer in visibility, credibility, and or biotechnology. We would also [email protected] tations in the eyes and good quality pigments to

replacement products,” concludes Diers. © LRMF navel as being rubies. lighten his colors, but >

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> cheaper pigments to underlay The Chemistry of Cosmetics them,” explains Philippe Walter.

hard/Cité de la musique ou may not realize it every ratories and several companies like Adonis

GUIDING RESTORERS . Ec After its creation come the many .-P morning when you shave or put (a division of Alban Muller International), transformations that a work of art will © J on makeup, but chemistry is LVMH Recherche, or GreenPharma (a start- undergo throughout the centuries. And everywhere in your bathroom up launched in 2000 with the help of CNRS) this is key knowledge for restorers, who Using analytical cabinet. It may be hidden, but are sifting the world’s biodiversity–from plants make up another group heavily assisted by chemistry, scientists itY is at the heart of the properties of cosmetic to fungi and microorganisms–to find chemistry. “Distinguishing the original parts designed to be used, not just have been able to study products, from long-lasting lipstick to the tomorrow’s leading cosmetic products. The the effects of time on of a work from those that have been altered to be seen. Jean-Philippe shimmering tints of eye shadow and the anti- latest discoveries include resveratrol, a Photothèque rin/CNRS the oils and resins in er or added is essential in deciding how it will Échard, a conservation scien- violin varnish. wrinkle effects of certain creams. And despite compound found particularly in grapes, that be restored,” explains Christiane Naffah, direc- tist at the Music Museum in these innovations, much more lies ahead. increases the life expectancy of skin cells, © E. P tor of LC2RMF. “For example, previous Paris, and attached to a center specializing Indeed, it is in today’s cosmetics industry or pro-Xylane, a sugar extract from beech restoration work may have to be removed in conservation research (CRCC),9 works on that we find one of chemistry’s major wood that stimulates collagen synthesis, and because it is hampering our view of the orig- the varnishes used to protect violins– challenges: to introduce an increasing thus firms up tissues. inal work.” Using analyses performed by the including Stradivarii–and lutes kept in the number of natural ingredients into the for- The methods that enable the use of these LC2RMF, restorers discovered that the robe museum. He is trying to determine their mulas of beauty products to meet current natural compounds are currently undergoing of the steward of the Wedding Feast at resistance to wear caused by both time and expectations, but also, more pragmatically, major change. For example, it is indeed essen- Cana–the largest painting in the Louvre–was usage. “As it ages, the composition of the to comply with the REACH regulations (see tial to develop new and efficient extraction not originally red, so they decided to expose varnish changes: The oils and plant resins p. 20). “We are under considerable regulatory processes to extricate valuable molecules from the green color chosen by Veronese. In other used in making it start to oxidize. Using pressure regarding the formulation of new raw materials not yet fully exploited, like leaves, . Filippi

words, and as emphasized by Naffah, under- analytical chemistry, we can evaluate the products, but in terms of research, this opens roots, or even wood. “Regarding perfumes, © J.-J lying knowledge about a work of art obtained degree of oxidation and know whether the the door to other, more stimulating projects,” the more rapid and gentle the extraction Chromatographs via chemical analysis may help make the ageing process is still active,” he explains. explains Xavier Fernandez, who works at a process, the more closely the odor of the extract (above) enable the “right choice.” “We are also trying to evaluate the effects of laboratory specialized in aroma and bioactive will match that of the plant,” explains study of the composition of perspiration, and the molecule research (LCMBA).1 Fernandez. “We have thus recently developed different aromas (top), Chemical analysis risks taken when extraction methods using microwaves or exposed the green in this case vetiver. these ancient instru- ultrasounds.” color originally chosen USING BIODIVERSITY Photothèque rin/CNRS by Veronese for the ments are played.” Jojoba oil in shampoos, soy lecithin in day er

robes of the steward in Laurianne Geffroy creams, natural vanilla extracts in perfumes... RETURN TO NATURE © E. P the Wedding Feast at beauty products are increasingly promot- Besides answering consumer demand for At LCMBA, different Cosmetics and perfumes value from an olfactory point of Cana (Louvre ing their “organic” profile. To enrich the organic products and discovering novel substances are use a considerable view, we try to inactivate it,” Museum). 1. Centre d’études analyzed using number of natural sub- Below: Stratigraphic préhistoire, antiquité, palette of available ingredients, CNRS labo- molecules, the search for natural compounds explains Fernandez. To achieve this, chromatography stances. Pictured is myrrh, section of paint from Moyen Âge (CNRS / his team is working on a selective Université de Nice). coupled with sensory an odorant resin produced the robes prior to 2. Not produced by living perception. by an Arabian tree. biocatalytic method. “The aim is to vice de restauration des musées de France restoration. organisms. Minerals or selectively transform the structure, metals, for example. © Ser has another purpose: finding substances that and hence the toxicity, of restricted molecules 3. Laboratoire du centre de recherche et de restauration des musées de France (CNRS / Ministère de la Culture are harmless to humans and the environment using microorganisms, which also lets us et de la Communication). to replace compounds whose safety is retain the ‘natural’ label,” underlines the 4. Chromatography separates different components within a mixture. currently being questioned. scientist. “We hope to be able to inactivate 5. Mass spectrometry identifies molecules as a function In this context, parabens are the unequiv- the toxicity of the problematic molecule while of their mass. ocal example. These petroleum-derived keeping the odor of the extract unchanged.” 6. A beam of light whose intensity can very precisely determine the composition of a material. synthetic preservatives, widely used to protect The green revolution is also affecting 7. Institut de chimie des substances naturelles (CNRS). cosmetics from molds and bacteria, are now surfactant agents, molecules that favor the 8. Associating researchers from LC2RMF, Institut Néel

© LRMF suspected to also be toxic and carcinogenic. mixing of water and fats into an unctuous and ESRF in Grenoble. 9. Centre de recherche sur la conservation des To bypass parabens, an Orléans-based cream. Teams are currently working on AN AID TO CONSERVATION collections (CNRS / MNHN / Ministère de la Culture institute dedicated to analytical and organic replacing the hydrophilic part of surfactants et de la Communication). Unfortunately, it is not always possible to chemistry (ICOA)2 is trying to identify and –currently of petrochemical origin–with plant repair the damage that a work of art has isolate active substances in Guyanese plants sugars, which would certainly be considered undergone over time. Priority is then given CONTACT INFORMATION that may have antimicrobial properties. an added value to the “Made in France” to stopping the damage by preserving an Martine Regert, [email protected] But, as pointed out by Fernandez, “natural perfumes and beauty products renowned object in the best possible conditions. Yet the Philippe Walter molecules are not necessarily innocuous.” throughout the world. job of a curator is not only to protect, but also [email protected] For example, rose essential oil contains Laurianne Geffroy to disseminate knowledge: “Works of art are Pascale Richardin methyleugenol, possibly carcinogenic, and [email protected] 1. Laboratoire de chimie des molécules bioactives et des displayed for centuries, and thus suffer from lichen extracts contain chlorine compounds arômes (CNRS / Université de Nice). Alain Brunelle sunlight, climatic variations, and simply from that can provoke skin reactions. A given 2. Institut de chimie organique et analytique (CNRS / [email protected] Université d’Orléans). > being moved. Yet they must still be displayed Christiane Naffah odor contains tens or even hundreds of so that they can spread their message,” [email protected] components. “A single toxic or allergenic CONTACT INFORMATION rin/CNRS Photothèque rin/CNRS

explains Naffah. This is a tricky question Jean-Philippe Échard er component may compromise marketing of Xavier Fernandez [email protected] [email protected]

when dealing with a musical instrument, © E. P the final product. If that component has no

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> Tracking Down Fraud TOUGH CONSTRAINTS When working on traces, sample preparation is crucial, and the utmost precautions are needed to avoid contamination. “When we tested honey for the presence of an insecticide called Fipronil, we realized that our results were compromised because a lab member was using Fipronil to treat his dog against When injected in a on this problem, by ticks,” explains Lebrun. Any search for special bath, called incorporating the substances that can only be present as trace coagulation bath, tubes in fibers that amounts require extra precautions, to avoid carbon nanotubes in are subsequently solution can form making any mistakes. Like when trying to nanotube fibers. stretched. The nan- detect traces of by-products in a medicinal otubes are then product, the presence of which would be organized along the direction of this indicative of the fraudulent application of a stretching. “We hope that three to five years patent-protected manufacturing process. Or will be enough to know whether they can when searching for traces of Tamoxifen, a be used to build bullet-proof vests, protective breast cancer treatment that is also used by clothing, or motorcycle helmets,” adds Poulin. Vrignaud/CNRS Photothèque Vrignaud/CNRS some sportsmen to mask the use of anabolic . “Our goal is to produce our first textile using olle/REA steroids. these mixed fibers within that time frame.” © G. R “We also need to brace ourselves for a © Photos : F For now, nanotubes are mainly developed etecting formalin in baby lotion, substance be concentrated up to Chemical analyses new type of fraud that is becoming to replace carbon black, a material formed of determining a patent breach for a thousand times in the sample, allow customs increasingly prevalent in France,” warns carbon microspheres and produced using a medicinal product, tracking without accumulating agents that officials to detect Lebrun. Taking advantage of the current trend heavy petroleum products. It is used as a illicit drugs in sportsmen, or could mask it along the way. counterfeit products: for natural products, companies are selling New Materials highly sought-after antistatic agent for the in this case, discovering a pesticide in an To understand how this fraudulent Viagra them over the internet to avoid any controls. packaging of electronic items, the storage of Dorganically-labeled product: All these activities works, imagine evaporating 1000 tablets. “You can buy anything on internet, including hat will materials be like take some time before they can be put in prac- powders, and the construction of fuel tanks depend on the increasingly sophisticated liters of water, and placing the dry extracts of plants from the Amazon basin that in the future? Lighter, tice. “They have an amazing ability to absorb and lines. “In this area, we are already know-how and techniques of chemical analy- residue in 1 liter of pure water; it is now do not contain the slightest trace of plant stronger, and with violent shocks, much higher than that of obtaining the same properties as with carbon sis. They are developed and currently used concentrated a thousand times. One drawback extracts.” But chemists can only go so far, and astonishing properties, carbon fiber in composite materials. This is black, but using ten times less material,” by CNRS’ Central Analysis Service (SCA)1 in is that some of the substances you are seeking it is up to consumers to be wary, and aware answer chemists. And due to their very unusual structure and concludes Poulin. Lyon, headed by Jean-Jacques Lebrun. may have evaporated with the water. “The that it is impossible to control everything Wthese materials will be used in a multitude geometry,” explains Philippe Poulin from “Chemical analysis is one of the tools performance of measurement instruments traded on the World Wide Web. of applications, ranging from motorcycle CNRS’ Paul Pascal research center (CRPP)1 FILM MAKERS used to expose fraud,” explains Lebrun. has not improved in recent years, so it is Denis Delbecq helmets to bone repair. in Bordeaux. They also have exceptional Further south in Pau, at IPREM,2 a research French courts, legal authorities, police, and selective enrichment that will enable the 1. Service central d’analyse. (www.sca.cnrs.fr) Take carbon nanotubes, for example, mil- rigidity, as well as lightness and excellent institute dedicated to materials and the various ministries regularly ask the SCA to greatest progress.” A method often made lionths of millimeters in diameter, but with conductivity. But to make use of these environment, work is focusing on electrically- test certain products. “Most requests more difficult by the complexity of the search, a length a thousand times greater. They qualities, scientists need to overcome a conductive polymer films. They could be used concern the areas of agrifood, pharmaceutical as, for example, when testing in a single CONTACT INFORMATION exhibit a very large surface area relative to considerable obstacle: the disorganized struc- for heating surfaces, protection against or cosmetic products, and doping substances,” procedure for the presence or absence of 90 Jean-Jacques Lebrun their volume. Their exceptional properties ture of nanotubes. “Currently, we are only corrosion, or for specific sensors capable of adds Lebrun. Although spectacular, this different pesticides in a sample of honey.” [email protected] have been known for a decade, but it may able to produce raw nanotubes in a powder distinguishing between soft and hard is only one aspect of the workload of the or ‘bulk’ form,” says Poulin. “The challenge surfaces, something that might be of interest SCA, which also carries out analyses for is to get these tubes organized in a structure for robotics. “The heating surfaces applica- CNRS, universities, and the private sector, because their mechanical or tion is currently the most advanced,” explains Some conductive and dedicates a quarter of its time to research CHEMISTS IN THE KITCHEN electrical properties collapse if polymer-based films Stéphanie Reynaud, from IPREM. “These and training. they are not assembled in an can emit heat, visible could be used in very low energy consuming “Food is not chemistry,” says Hervé our laboratory, we have had theses on compounds in a broth,” suggests Hervé optimal manner. The Bordeaux in this case on an buildings, or to produce heating textiles.” The Hervé This, in his laboratory. infrared measuring CHECK THE LABEL This.1 A surprising statement when carrot broth or the storage of onions in This. This work also showed that a team is thus intensely focusing Pau scientists are also trying to anticipate instrument. The most important area, where demand for coming from the creator, together with sauces–trying to understand what broth could be colored without adding future oil shortage: “With this in mind, we analysis is seeing the most growth, is the agri- Oxford physicist Nicholas Kurti, of comes out of the plant tissues, and browned onions, but simply by exposing are testing compounds that combine oil-based food industry. Whether asked to detect the molecular gastronomy. After all, this above all, how?” it to light during the cooking process. polymers with polymers derived from addition of water in a “100% fruit juice,” sugar discipline is focused on One study in particular used “We are now studying the underlying agricultural or marine resources.” in a “sugar-free” product, or synthetic mole- understanding the complex quantitative nuclear magnetic mechanisms,” he concludes. At the other end of the country, CNRS’

cules in “100% natural” royal jelly, SCA ana- VER phenomena at play when food is resonance techniques and showed D.D. Charles Sadron Institute (ICS) in Strasbourg lysts use ultra-sophisticated methods to find works on polyelectrolyte multilayers, a concept transformed during cooking. that the molecules that migrate from 1. UMR 214 (INRA / Institut des sciences et substances that may sometimes only be pres- But in his opinion, there is no doubt: plant tissues to broths and sauces techniques du vivant et de l’environnement with applications in antireflective or anti- ent as traces. “Modern measuring instruments Chemistry is a science, while cooking (mainly sugars and amino acids) were (AgroParisTech)). corrosive coatings, as well as antibacterial 2. Their collaborative recipes (in French): can detect a substance at a concentration of is a technique, sometimes enriched contained in the vessels that enable www.pierre-gagnaire.com/francais/cdthis.htm surfaces. These could, for example, be used one part per billion, i.e., one nanogram per with art. However, he regularly shares the circulation of sap. “You therefore to prevent ship hull fouling, or to develop

gram of matter. Our methods allow us to SER IMAGES ielcanet/URBA self-cleaning windshields. ICS researcher V his know-how as a chemist with his need to grind up the carrots if you . Contact Information: Hervé This, ynaud/CNRS/Université de Pau ynaud/CNRS/Université

2 e increase the sensitivity by a thousand,” explains © F friend, the chef Pierre Gagnaire. “In want to recover all their flavorful [email protected] Pierre Schaaf explains the process: “We are . R

Lebrun. However, it requires that the target © S developing organic surface coatings using >

CNRS International Magazine n5°1October 2009 CNRS International Magazine 5n°1October 2009 26 COVERSTORY COVERSTORY 27

> charged polymers that alternate coats this year in collaboration with a company marketed by a French chemical company Environmental Sentinels endowed with positive and negative electrical (Graftys).” called Arkema, and applications for these charges. This makes them adhere to one In Toulouse, at the CIRIMAT Carnot extraordinary products are currently in the another.” The choice of materials depends Institute,4 similar research is taking place. works, including adhesives, protective films, hemists are closely involved in on the properties sought. Schaaf’s team has There, the team led by Christèle Combes is automobile tires, and perhaps applications pollution control. In fact, many ideas, one of which is to create materials working on hard biological tissues, and in construction. nothing matches their ability to for biological use: “In fact, we are already particularly on the nanocrystals that make Denis Delbecq track aquatic and atmospheric working with INSERM, France’s health and up 70% of our bones. “We are studying their 1. Centre de recherche Paul Pascal. pollutants. But the task is sub- medical research institute. We integrate DNA role in the bone mineralization process,” 2. Institut pluridisciplinaire de recherche sur Cstantial. “In aquatic environments alone, we in the films, in order to develop implant explains Christian Rey, a fellow researcher. l’environnement et les matériaux (CNRS / Université are faced with thousands of compounds,” de Pau et des pays de l’Adour). © Photos : H.Budzinski/ISM coatings with biological functions, and we Besides, the team is also focusing on the use 3. Chimie et interdisciplinarité: synthèse, analyse, explains Hélène Budzinski, leader of a research POCIS (Polar Organic would like to create films that could for of these minuscule crystals for medical modélisation (CNRS / Université de Nantes). group on environmental toxicochemistry at Chemical Integrative example trigger chemical reactions simply imaging. “We have started a project with the 4. Centre interuniversitaire de recherche et d’ingénierie the French Molecular Science Institute (ISM).1 Sampler) passive des matériaux (CNRS / Université Toulouse-III / INP sampling systems can by stretching the substrate.” Cancer-Bio-Health Cluster in Toulouse,” he Toulouse), Institut Carnot. With her colleagues, she is trying to detect the adds. “By rendering these nanocrystals 5. Laboratoire Matière molle et chimie (CNRS / École presence of organic compounds and diagnose collect the organic Supérieure de Physique et de Chimie Industrielles de compounds present in luminescent, and by fixing a compound on la Ville de Paris). their effects on aquatic organisms. The list is water. their surface that makes them recognizable already impressive: pesticides, medicinal by cancer cells, we hope to be able to improve products, solvents, flame retardants, and all CONTACT INFORMATION tumor imaging techniques.” sorts of agents that can disturb animal Philippe Poulin Back in Paris, Ludwik Leibler’s labora- [email protected] endocrine systems and are believed to trigger tory, specializing in soft matter and chemistry Stéphanie Reynaud the so-called feminization phenomena the number of compounds we need Wastewater and air quality.” The Institute is pursuing a (MMC),5 recently made the headlines. With [email protected] observed in numerous aquatic organisms. to look for in any given environ- treatment plants, number of novel paths, including a study of his team, he succeeded in producing an Pierre Schaaf, [email protected] “And the substances we are finding are mainly ment. In many cases, each town, like the one secondary organic aerosols that arise from pictured here in Bruno Bujoli, [email protected] extraordinary elastic material capable of self- linked to human activity.” For this reason, the country, or region has its own spe- Bordeaux, are the oxidation of pollutant gases like nitrogen repair. Having cut this material in two pieces, Christèle Combes researcher sometimes calls on her colleagues cific habits.”Last summer, a study excellent sites for dioxide, mainly produced by cars. “We recently tys simply putting the extremities in contact was christè[email protected] in the human and social sciences. “Social by Barcelona University performed chemical studies of realized that these predominate in the air. We Christian Rey, [email protected] the environment. © Garf enough for the material to studies and surveys can save us a lot of time,” in the waters of a Spanish waste- have shown how interactions with light may recover its initial resistance. Ludwik Leibler, [email protected] she explains, “because they can narrow down water treatment plant showed that constitute an essential step in their ageing.” CHEMICAL REPAIR This is due to molecules cocaine and MDMA (the molecule found in In this case, most of the work is carried out Indeed, biomedical mate- capable of self-assembly in the ecstasy) increased substantially after weekends. in the laboratory to reconstitute the forma- rials are a rapidly expand- same way as molecules in a tion and fate of aerosols, and determine, for ing field of research. At a DNA strand can “recognize” SPECIES ON GUARD AIR AND WATER SURVEYS example, the by-products generated by

Nantes-based laboratory . Bujoli each other and pair up. “During To further refine their results, chemists photochemical reactions. “But we have also

dedicated to chemical © B the self-repair process, the The more advances it makes, the more chemical along French coastlines. Major national and handling aquatic pollution must be able to participated in recent measurement analysis and modeling (CEISAM),3 and work- A calcium phosphate- bonds that were broken reform analysis is faced with the problem of small doses, international agencies are all working on this use appropriate analytical tools to detect campaigns using an aerosol mass spec- based cement is ing in collaboration with an INSERM team, and restore the cohesiveness of and the difficulty in evaluating the effects that issue, but it is difficult to reach a consensus. At substances that are frequently found at trace trometer (AMS), a highly original instrument combined with a drug Bruno Bujoli is looking at so-called “repair” (biphosphonate) and the material,” explains Leibler. surrounding substances may have on our health. present, most regulations are based on chemical levels. One example that has proved quite so far unique in France,” emphasizes George. materials. “We are trying to develop cements injected into an It takes only one hour for the According to toxicologist Jean-François analyses, which are interpreted by simple problematic is amoxicillin, an antibiotic whose In just a few minutes, the AMS can reveal that could be injected to prevent osteoporotic osteoporotic femur elastic material to recover its Narbonne, from the French Molecular Sciences comparison with a defined value. They represent presence in the environment could lead to the size and chemical composition of each fractures, a major public health problem.” (bottom left) to enable initial extensibility of 700%. Institute (ISM),1 it is now urgent to develop an enormous market. But simple chemical assays the selection of resistant bacterial strains. The particle. “All measurements performed to Such cements, made of calcium phosphate, bone re-growth Today, this technology is being scientists also need to imagine new methods date have underlined the chemical complexity (bottom right). “bioassays,” i.e., tests that can be performed on may soon be insufficient. Faced with increased a material similar to the main component of living tissues. “A substance, or a mixture of health challenges due to globalization and the for measurement. “Occasional analyses, both of atmospheric particles.” Today, major cities bone, could for example be loaded with a drug substances, may be undetectable but can presence of mixtures of contaminants (cocktails), in time and space, carry little meaning. For are quite well equipped to monitor “simple” active against osteoporosis. It would then be definitely modify cell behavior. Bioassays are bioassays and biomarkers are essential to better this reason, we are trying to develop sensors pollutants such as ozone. But much research implanted in the femoral neck, where, over essential for the future.” One such assay is the assess the hazards and risks to man and his and passive samplers that could store the is still needed to determine the impact of time, biological fluids and bone cells would A supramolecular famous “mouse” test that detects the presence of environment. molecules present in the environment over aerosols, especially to understand the physical penetrate the cement and diffuse the drug elastomer produced toxins in oysters: A sample is collected from the D.D. time. In this way, a single record would be chemistry of these particles, which are small around the implantation site, thus stimulating using fatty acids is sufficient to monitor the pollution accumu- (less than a micrometer) but nonetheless mollusks and injected into the abdomen of three 1. Institut des Sciences Moléculaires (CNRS / ENSCP bone re-growth. “We are completing pre- capable of self-repair, lated over a 15-day or a 1-month period.” harmful to both health and air quality. as attested by its mice. Death of two mice out of three within 24 Bordeaux / Universités Bordeaux-I and -IV). 2. Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments. clinical studies,” explains Bujoli, “and we resistance to a hours is indicative of a danger to man, and If human activity is definitely a threat to Denis Delbecq Contact Information: Jean-François Narbonne, hope to be able to start phase 1 clinical trials traction test. triggers a ban on consumption. aquatic organisms, it is also a source of 1. Groupe de recherches de physico- et toxicochimie de [email protected] “We are working with France’s national food pollution of the air we breathe. At a Lyon- l’environnement de l’Institut des sciences moléculaires (CNRS / ENSCP Bordeaux / Universités Bordeaux-I control agency (AFSSA)2 to determine the most based institute specialized in catalysis and The inoculation and -IV). environment (Ircelyon),2 Christian George sensitive and specific types of cells to detect of an extract 2. Institut de recherches sur la catalyse et phycotoxins, algae toxins that may accumulate in from the and his colleagues are studying the l’environnement de Lyon (CNRS / Université de Lyon). mollusks and fish,” explains Narbonne. “For the digestive gland physicochemical modifications undergone ournilhac, L. Leibler/CNRS Photothèque ournilhac, L. Leibler/CNRS T . past 30 years, we have also been developing of an oyster into by compounds emitted into our atmosphere, CONTACT INFORMATION © F a mouse helps biomarkers in sentinel species that act as and notably by aerosols, these dusts and detect potential Hélène Budzinski indicators on environmental contamination.” . Muller/AFP droplets that are rarely inert. “We are trying [email protected]

food poisoning .-P Christian George Mollusks, for example, are able to detect pollution in humans. © J to observe and simulate these transforma- tions to determine their impact on climate [email protected]

CNRS International Magazine n5°1October 2009 CNRS International Magazine n5°1October 2009

28 INIMAGES INIMAGES 29

1 Gustave Eiffel in 1889. Trained as a chemical engineer, he was supposed to take over his uncle’s chemical plant. However, a victim of family quarrels, he turned to steel construction, at which he excelled.

2 and 3 The Eiffel Tower: 5 © Collection Artedia © Collection 18,000 parts assembled with ENGINEERING 2.5 million rivets. Its shape was directly dictated by wind resistance calculations: its flared base provided the y) stability necessary for a GustaveGustave EiffelEiffel structure over 300 meters tall. 4 Construction of the Porto Bridge, in Portugal, in 1876. Instead of scaffolding, Eiffel MASTERMASTER OFOF used cables to hold up an arch 4 that met up with another on the © M. Coursaget/RMN (Musée d’Orsa iollet V opposite bank. 6 © Roger © Roger 5 The Garabit Viaduct, in France, was built several years later along the same lines as IRONIRON the Porto bridge.

he Supermat 6 The Nice observatory. In T order to follow the motion of the stars, the dome needed to revolve. Eiffel, who built it in 1 1884, decided to have it float in a tank of water so as to eliminate vila/Wikimedia Commons ;

A any friction. It could thus be ikimedia Commons operated using a simple handle. 2 © J. M. © J.

7 7 Budapest train station, © H. Ortner/W Hungary. With its vast iron roof- ustave Eiffel was the perfect example of a facets of this visionary man,” explains Lemoine, structure, it is one of Eiffel’s 19th century engineer: inventive and the scientific commissioner of the exhibition masterworks. daring,” says Lemoine, who is himself an “L’Epopée Tour Eiffel” (The Eiffel Tower Saga) which engineer, architect, and specialist in the will be on show on the first floor of the tower until 8 Sketch of the Statue of G 1 history of architecture at CNRS. “Eiffel graduated December 31st. Liberty. Beneath its copper from the Central School of Arts and Manufactures2 And Eiffel had all the makings of a great sheathing, the iron framework in 1855, a major time of growth, stemming from engineer. Encouraged by his success in a steel can be seen: put simply, it is a Since its construction, more than 120 million visitors from several concurrent factors: the rapid economic construction company, where he headed in mini Eiffel Tower topped by all over the world have marveled at the Eiffel Tower. This expansion of Europe, at the height of its industrial particular the construction site for the Bordeaux another–smaller one–inside revolution; the appearance of a new material, rolled railway bridge, he set up his very own company the arm. year, the universal symbol of Paris celebrates its 120th iron, which was lighter and cheaper than stone; at the age of 32. He surrounded himself with anniversary. The historian Bertrand Lemoine, senior and decisive progress in mechanics.” In this efficient technicians and inventive engineers, favorable context, Eiffel became an internationally and started establishing lasting partnerships researcher at CNRS, is the scientific commissioner of an renowned structural engineer not only through the with investors. At the time, structural engi- exhibition on the career and achievements of its prolific design of the world-famous Eiffel Tower, but also neering was increasingly in demand. Railways el

as a result of the 300 or so structures he built all over were expanding throughout Europe, and f builder, Gustave Eiffel. He takes us on a guided tour of the world, including bridges, viaducts, roof stations, bridges, and public buildings were our Eif structures, churches, and stations. His contributions changing the landscape. “Iron enabled you T andowski/RMN/Photo de presse andowski/RMN/Photo hormans/RMNPhoto de presse ew Eiffel’s most outstanding constructions, and explains the to scientific research shouldn’t be forgotten either. to build fast: The parts were mass- 3 8

© J. Sc © J. © H. L “This is why we opted to show all the different produced in workshops, and they scientific advances that were taking place at that time. > © Collection

CNRS International Magazine n5°1October 2009 CNRS International Magazine 5n°1October 2009 30 INIMAGES Foreign partners AROUNDTHEWORLD 31

FLUID MECHANICS TAC

9 December 1887: Before the first level was completed, Computing Better Engines making the whole structure stable, the four legs were held G. Daviller/LEA /LES © G. Daviller/LEA up by scaffolding. Eiffel had the The European Research Network in Computational Fluid Dynamics idea of placing boxes filled is exploring new avenues to make engines more efficient and less with sand inside them, as was noisy. This Franco-German partnership associates 19 different el done in Ancient Egypt. f research teams from both countries.

Removing a little of the sand our Eif T slightly lowered an entire leg, and above all, enabled all four o switching errors or technical hitches by airplane engines, which have an impact on Airbus, Renault, CEA, CNES, DGA, EDF, and 9 legs to be adjusted to the same © Collection to report. For the last 20 or so years, both noise and atmospheric pollution. Another ONERA. height. Had they been French and German researchers from phenomenon being studied is viscous drag, the In the long run, this program aims to “make just a few millimeters off, NCNRS and Deutsche Forschungsge- resistive force that air exerts on vehicles in numerical simulation a common language at a the rivets would not have meinschaft (DFG) have been taking part in a movement. “We try to predict and reduce drag European level.” Discussions are underway to el / CSTB fit in the holes of the f considerably innovative research program on and the flow separation that occurs near the expand the GDRE beyond 2011. The new PRACE plates that were then fluid dynamics. Their primary objective is to sides of vehicles, which also generates eddies,” initiative (Partnership for Advanced Computing assembled. reduce turbulence phenomena in air and land explains Bontoux. A complex task, but one well in Europe) suggests concentrating supercom- transport. To do so, they need to acquire a very worth the effort: The reduction of such effects by puting facilities in several international centers el f 10 Wind tunnel set up in detailed understanding of the turbulence fine-tuning the geometry of the vehicle leads to to give European scientists the computing power our Eif 1912 in the rue Boileau, T phenomena that occur behind airplane engines lower fuel consumption. necessary to meet tomorrow’s challenges. Paris. After leaving his 10 and cars, in order to reduce the resulting noise, Since 2004, the GDRE’s teams have pub- Séverine Lemaire-Duparcq /J-M.Seguin/Photo de Presse © Laboratoire aérodynamique Eif construction firm, Eiffel particularly in civil aviation turbojet engines. lished six books and nearly 200 articles, and embarked on a genuine career © Collection The expected result is to improve aerodynamics have organized more than a dozen seminars. 1. Some of the participating laboratories on the French side: LEA in Poitiers, LMFA in Lyon, M2P2 in Marseille, LMF in as a researcher. He designed > could be sent back to the factory in case of and lower fuel consumption, not just in planes The GDRE has already advanced our under- Nantes, LEGI and LJK in Grenoble, IMFT in Toulouse, this wind tunnel, more efficient problems. On site, all you had to do was to assemble but also in cars. standing of the physical mechanisms involved in LJAD in Nice, LIMSI. On the German side: RWTH in 11 than the one built at the base of them with rivets,” Lemoine explains. It was not Since the late 1980s, the two countries have turbulences, and improved the techniques and Aachen, TU in Berlin, Darmstadt, Munich, and Dresden, as well as the universities of Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Hamburg, the Eiffel Tower. unlike a Meccano model construction kit, but on a Maurice Koechlin, designed a 300 meter-high tower. been coordinating the efforts of their scientific models currently used in industry. This success and Erlangen. grand scale, in sharp contrast to traditional building Although Eiffel initially showed little interest, he was communities around increasingly finely targeted can be in part credited to the close ties established 2. Mécanique, modélisation et procédés propres (CNRS / Université Marseille-I and -II / Ecole Centrale Marseille). 11 Numerous experiments in sites, where stones had to be cut and recut on the won over by the embellishments added by the research themes. From bilateral exchange with various companies and organizations like 3. Institut du développement et des ressources en aerodynamics like this one construction site to fit–a process that could drag on architect Stephen Sauvestre, and registered a patent.3 programs to collaborative projects, they eventually Dassault Aviation, Snecma, Rolls Royce, MTU, informatique scientifique. were carried out at the Eiffel for years. Furthermore, the scientific laws that The tower won one of the four prizes in the created a European Research Network (GDRE) Tower from 1903 on. For explained how materials deformed due to the exhibition’s architecture competition. Publicity in in Computational Fluid Dynamics for the current CONTACT INFORMATION example, Eiffel measured the stresses and shapes of structures, discovered by the press and public meetings helped to make period (2004-2011). Twenty years after the first Patrick Bontoux air resistance on objects falling Claude-Louis Navier in 1821, were now commonly Eiffel’s project increasingly credible, and an collaboration, 19 different research teams work- M2P2, Marseille. from the second level, at an being applied. “The shapes of beams and buildings agreement with the government was finally ing in 14 French and German laboratories1 are [email protected] altitude of 115 meters. were designed so as to optimize their resistance, signed. Funded partly by Eiffel’s own money, the currently involved in this program. Its annual while at the same time making them lighter,” project would finally get off the ground. Work began budget–estimated at Û2.5 million–is funded on 12 Inauguration in 1922 of the Lemoine explains. Structures made increasing use in January 1887 to be completed a mere 26 months the one hand by CNRS, the French Ministry of radio station at the Eiffel Tower of openwork. And you could build them bigger later. The tower was to amaze two million Research, and ONERA, and on the other by DFG. by actor Sacha Guitry (at the and taller without any fear of them collapsing under visitors during the six months the exhibition was “This initiative brings together experts in ti

microphone), opera singer their own weight, or breaking in high winds. Among open. “It was supposed to be torn down after 20 fluid mechanics, acoustics, modeling, and high- asquet Yvonne Printemps, and radio the new generation of engineers, Eiffel won many years, when the free lease granted by the city of performance computing,” explains Patrick pioneer General Ferrié. contracts due to technical innovations that could cut Paris expired. But Eiffel saved it by demonstrating Bontoux, director of M2P22 in Marseilles. One of Converted into a giant antenna, costs. “For instance, for the Maria Pia Bridge in its scientific importance as a site for a radio the leading scientific approaches is Large Eddy which was initially used for Porto (Portugal), he suggested using cables to hold antenna, and for carrying out experiments, in Simulation (LES), a type of numerical meshing military communications, the up the two arches that met to form the bridge,” particular in aerodynamics,”adds Lemoine. Eiffel that makes it possible to simulate the large and

Eiffel Tower won another adds Lemoine. As a result, there was no need to put retired from business at the age of 61, but continued most energetic turbulent scales–also known as R. P © M. Minguez, E. Serre, reprieve from its planned up expensive scaffolding in the river. a career as a researcher until the ripe old age of 88. eddies–while at the same time modeling the destruction. The Garabit viaduct in France, the internal Charline Zeitoun smallest ones, which formerly went unrecorded

structure of the Statue of Liberty in New York... no 1. Centre André Chastel (CNRS / Université Paris-IV / by the system. The GDRE’s expertise in this field sooner had Eiffel finished one job that he moved on Ministère de la culture et de la communication). has largely benefited from the considerable to another. And he was soon to embark on his life’s 2. École centrale des arts et manufactures. computational power found in various national 3. Patent registered under the names of Eiffel, Nouguier, and 3 greatest achievement. “For the Universal Exhibition Koechlin, which Eiffel later bought back from the two centers, such as IDRIS, as well as from the of 1889, which marked the 100th anniversary of the engineers. vector supercomputers recently acquired by Researchers working on French Revolution, France wanted to pull out all the CNRS, like IBM Blue Gene, the 9th most computational fluid dynamics stops,” says Lemoine. The idea of a tower was being powerful supercomputer in the world which has study turbulence phenomena in mooted. It would be taller than any structure ever CONTACT INFORMATION a combined computational power of more than transportation vehicles. built, even outstripping the Washington Monu- 15,000 last-generation laptops. Computer models are generated Bertrand Lemoine simulating turbulence behind a Centre André Chastel, Paris. ment, which was 169 meters tall. Two engineers LES makes it possible to isolate and study jet engine (top), or around a car 12 from the Eiffel company, Émile Nouguier and [email protected] specific phenomena like the jet flows emitted DR engine (right).

CNRS International Magazine n5°1October 2009

32 AROUNDTHEWORLD They chose France AROUNDTHEWORLD 33

Pablo Gluschankof this simple micro-organism. Besides, there is Valentina Emiliani no need to manipulate the yeast expressing HIV Using Yeast to Fight AIDS protein in an L3 containment lab,2 as must be Bridging Physics and Biology done for HIV infected cells,” he adds. This approach turned out to be very success- f course, listening to a tango fills me off company created in December 2007, that ful and propelled Gluschankof’s research to the plicated, because he was working in France,” with emotion. But I can also be moved specializes in the diagnosis of viral diseases. For forefront. A patent was registered in June 2004 Emiliani recalls. In 2002, fed up with endless by the songs of the French singer Edith now, the company is hosted by the Faculty of by both CNRS and the University of Aix-Marseille-II. travels back and forth, she opted for a postdoc at OPiaf. I feel very much in tune with French Medicine’s unit on infectious diseases (URMITE).1 Wishing to “escape the cocoon of academia” as the Institut Jacques Monod in Paris. Both the culture, and above all with Marseille, a very The 52-year-old biochemist first arrived in he puts it, he gradually accepted the idea of change in her status and the language handicap eclectic city which fiercely defends its right to be France in 1982. After starting a degree in chem- becoming an entrepreneur. Hosted by various weighed heavily on her, and she missed her inde- different. And this right to being different is istry in his hometown of Buenos Aires in the business incubators and rewarded with several pendence. But this didn’t stop her from e u

something I uphold, both at work and in life.” mid 1970s–“a time when to be young in this prizes, AmiKana.BioLogics is currently develop- q continuing to investigate the links between è h t o

After a few words in French, Pablo Gluschankof’s country was dangerous,” as he puts it–and then ing a diagnostic kit based on Gluschankof’s t physics and biology, by studying the reactions of o h P Argentinian roots resurface. Currently working getting his Master’s degree at the University of principle. The objective is to help physicians cells to mechanical stimulation of their S R N

in Marseille, he is both CEO and scientific Jerusalem, he moved to Paris for his PhD and prescribe the right treatment at the right time by C environment. “To do this, we used optical, / t

e 3 director of AmiKana.BioLogics, a CNRS spin- joined CNRS in 1985. Yet four years later, he offering a test that can rapidly, reliably, and at low u so-called holographic, tweezers,” she explains. g a R had left for Stanford University in California. “I cost determine whether strains of HIV or . “Based on special types of laser beams, they can H

became extremely interested in the yeast the hepatitis C virus are resistant or not to © be used to stimulate cells in their three Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a unicellular organism specific drugs. he meeting takes place at the Paris physics “because of my family’s attachment to dimensions. It was during this project that I real- which resembles a human cell, both in struture In 2006, Gluschankof took a training course Descartes University, in the heart of research.” She studied for her PhD at the ized that holographic manipulation of light and biology,” Gluschankof recalls. “It’s easy to in management at the French business school Paris’s famous Saint-Germain-des-Prés University of Rome while working with a non- opened up other applications in biology.” alter its own genetic information to make it HEC. He is also working on the design of other Tneighborhood. Valentina Emiliani, a linear optics lab2 located in Florence. In 2004, she obtained a position at CNRS. To produce exogenous proteins, like those, for example, products and services aimed at improving renowned physicist with a lilting accent that Then, in 1996, she was offered a job in carry out her project, however, she wanted to expressed in a cell during viral infections.” antiviral treatment that will be offered to both betrays her Italian origins, takes me up three surface physics in Rome. “It was a bit too soon have her own team. A stroke of luck led her to When he returned to Europe in 1992, hospital departments and the pharmaceutical floors to the laboratory where she works, special- for me and, above all, a bit too far removed cross paths with LNNM Director Serge Charpak, Gluschankof started using yeast and their “pro- industry. He hopes that the first of the kits ized in neurophysiology and new microscopies from my field of research,” she explains. Before who wished to strengthen the physics in the lab- tein factory” capabilities to investigate the mech- currently in development phases will reach the (LNNM).1 By way of introduction to her complex accepting the job she decided to find out about oratory, and they struck a deal. She successfully anisms of budding and replication of the AIDS market by the end of 2012, “but it all depends on field of study, Emiliani sums up her work as surface physics by doing a postdoc at the Berlin applied to the 2005 European Young Investiga- virus. “In 2003, while working at URMITE, I raising the necessary funds,” he concludes. lying at the interface between physics and Technical University. Emiliani was possibly more tor Award (EURYI Award), and was able to move started using yeast to study HIV resistance to Philippe Testard-Vaillant biology. It has now been nearly four years since captivated by the German capital than by her into her new premises, purchase state-of-the-art certain antiretroviral drugs,” he explains. Because 1. Unité de recherche sur les maladies infectieuses et this specialist in optical properties of quantum new discipline. So she stayed in Berlin, but optical equipment, and build an invaluable team. HIV protease, an enzyme that takes part in the tropicales émergentes (CNRS / Université Aix-Marseille-II). semiconductors set up one of the lab’s four moved to a laboratory dedicated to the recently “Here, the permanent contact with biologists in 2. A restricted containment laboratory required for the

e synthesis of certain viral proteins in infected teams. The team’s goal is to develop novel developed near-field optical microscopes, which the lab combined with their awareness of the

u handling of highly pathogenic biological agents. q

è cells, is often a target in the design of antiretro- microscopy techniques for neurophysiology. have high spatial resolution. role of physics allow us to share a common h t o t

o viral drugs, he specifically expressed this Now 42, this native Italian is enjoying her life In 2000, she returned to Florence, knowing language,” she says. This is a perfect setting to h P

S protein in yeast. In this way, he could easily test as a researcher, after a circuitous career that took full well what she wanted to do: apply this state- extend the use of holography to other applications, R CONTACT INFORMATION N C / the effect of various drugs on this type of genet- her from Italy to France. When she started out, of-the-art technology to biology. It was then that such as exploring, both in time and space, the n

i Pablo Gluschankof r r

e URMITE, Marseille.

P ically modified yeast. “The advantage is that the Emiliani, who grew up in Rome, was as keen on France came knocking, mainly through her mechanisms of communication between neurons. .

E [email protected] cellular response is much easier to interpret in architecture as she was on physics. She chose Italian researcher husband. “Things were com- With a renowned team, and having fully © embraced the offerings of France’s capital city, Emiliani has postponed her return to Italy, maybe > indefinitely. GRANTS/FELLOWSHIPS WORKING IN A FRENCH LAB, Patricia Chairopoulos PRACTICAL INFORMATION: 1. Laboratoire neurophysiologie et MARIE CURIE ACTIONS EURAXESS funded for one or two years up to strengthen scientific cooperation EUROPEAN RESEARCH nouvelles microscopies (CNRS / Université Paris-V). This EU program provides numerous This portal provides information on €150,000. The applicants must between France and Denmark. It COUNCIL The Kastler Foundation (FNAK): Association Bernard Gregory: 2. Non-linear optics makes use of the fellowships and grants facilitating grants, fellowships, or positions consist of at least two partners from includes a mobility program that This entails a number of calls for Helps foreign researchers settle in This association helps young PhDs intense electric fields produced by lasers research mobility in Europe. available throughout Europe the Western Balkan countries and provides support for travel proposals by the European France and maintains contact after from any discipline make the to alter the optical properties of the their departure. transition into business. medium they pass through. http://cordis.europa.eu as well as practical information one from other participating expenses, accommodations, and Research Council (ERC) for both www.fnak.fr www.abg.asso.fr 3. The use of highly focused laser beams (accommodation, childcare and countries. running costs. Applications can be starting and advanced grants as optical tweezers to manipulate cells or small objects. ÉGIDE schools, healthcare...) for each Deadline: November 3, 2009. submitted throughout the year, three in Physical Sciences and Foreign embassies and consulates France Contact will help you plan Égide is a non-profit organization country. http://plus.see-era.net/pjc months prior to the intended date of Engineering, Life Sciences, in France: and arrange your stay in France: that manages French government http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess/ travel. and Social Sciences and www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/ www.francecontact.net annuaire/ international mobility programs. CNRS AGREEMENT WITH Deadline: December 31, 2009. Humanities. Edufrance: Information on France's Many funding opportunities SEE-ERA.NET PLUS DENMARK Contact Information: Deadline: Various closing dates French embassies and consulates higher education programs–course are listed on the website, and most A joint call for European research CNRS and the Danish National [email protected] or between October 28, 2009 and abroad: enlistment, grant and fellowship CONTACT INFORMATION content is in English. projects in ICT and agrofood was just Research Foundation (DNRF) have [email protected] April 7, 2010. www.expatries.diplomatie. applications. Valentina Emiliani www.egide.asso.fr launched. Retained projects will be concluded an agreement to www.dg.dk http://erc.europa.eu (grant section) gouv.fr/annuaires/annuaires.htm www.edufrance.fr LNNM, Paris. [email protected]

CNRS International Magazine n° 15 October 2009 CNRS International Magazine n° 15 October 2009

34 AROUNDTHEWORLD Horizons Italy AROUNDTHEWORLD 35

At the Cumae site near Naples, Part of the large researchers are electromagnetic calorimeter scheduled to be transferred to the

unearthing a wall of (EMcal) that will measure Photothèque/LPSC Muraz/CNRS . a mausoleum dating the energy of electrons and French synchrotron SOLEIL in 2010.

renot/CNRS Photothèque/IPEV © J.-F ©

. F back to the first photons at the LHC. Y A series of archaeological and © century BC. historical studies into the ancient Greek colonies in southern Italy led by the CNRS Naples-based Centre Jean Bérard, affiliated to the Ecole Française de Rome, have also meant close collaboration with researchers from Naples’ Federico II and Orientale universities, and with Italy’s Superintendence of Archaeological Heritage. Finally, the Concordia research

rieste T station in Antarctica, operated by French (IPEV) and Italian (PNRA) rotrone polar research programs, is one of just This balloon will gather three international inland Antarctica atmospheric data above the Franco-Italian bases. At an altitude of 3233 meters, Concordia station at Dome C.

un CNRS-EFR / Centre Jean Bérard Jean Centre / CNRS-EFR un the surrounding atmosphere and long

© Courtesy of Sinc . Br .

.-P nights make it an exceptional site for J © astronomy–yet in a rather harsh mathematics (INdAM), astrophysics Cooperation (PICS) in space Research (CERN). The project, which environment. Concordia has hosted The Italian Paradox (INAF), and nuclear and particle science, chemistry, biology, also includes three US labs, will study several joint studies by CNRS (INSU) physics (INFN). and physics. Mathematics, in interacting matter at extreme energy and INAF, and a European project for In 2007, foreign cooperation which Italy and France have long densities, with the hope of observing deep ice core drilling (EPICA) in tatistics on scientific research behavior–illustrating researchers’ projects accounted for almost 40% of histories of excellence, is the subject the formation of quark-gluon plasma, partnership with ENEA and INFN. Switzerland Austria Hungary Top: Aerial view of Photothèque . Lacour/CNRS

in Italy reveal a striking proficiency in these fields. the 45,241 Italian scientific of three GDREs linking CNRS and D a new phase of matter. This provided the first data on Slovenia ELETTRA, the Trieste Croatia Trieste contradiction. While the Young Italians have been the publications produced. France was INdAM, involving around 600 synchrotron facility. Since 2003, CNRS has also been greenhouse gas evolution over the Bosnia France and country’s R&D ressources second most successful scientists in the second most active partner (after researchers from both countries. involved in a major Franco-Italian past 800,000 years, and furthered the Ligurian Pisa Herzegovina S Above: Sea Adriatic significantly lag behind those of other obtaining European Research Council the US), involved in 3363 Besides, under a 1971 bilateral project for developing X-ray Photo understanding of the mechanisms of Corsica Sea major economies, its output, in terms grants, awarded on highly selective co-publications, half of which with agreement (renewed in 2007), CNRS Magnetic tunnel Emission Electron Microscopy rapid climate change. (FR) Roma junction (MTJ) image Frascati of scientific publications, is not only criteria of scientific excellence and CNRS, mostly in physics (39%), and the CNR fund short-term exchan- (XPEEM) at the Trieste synchrotron Jason Brown Naples observed using the Cumae one of the most prolific in the world, creativity. space science (30%), chemistry ges between partner laboratories, XPEEM microscope. facility ELETTRA. The studies using Tyrrhenian Sea but also highly recognized in several R&D organization and funding (16%), and fundamental biology involving between 30-40 researchers the XPEEM microscope significantly CONTACT INFORMATION Mediterranean fields. are essentially directed by the (12%). Conversely, Italy was the from each country every year. strengthened ties between French Francesca Grassia Sea Ionian S Catania Sea In recent years, Italy’s annual Ministry for Education, Universities, fourth most active partner in CNRS Among major projects, CNRS and Italian research into X-ray DAE, Paris. Algeria Tunisia [email protected]

© CNR R&D spending, has averaged around and Research (MIUR) in consultation co-publications. This close went into partnership with the INFN microscopy. This instrument is 1.13% of GDP, compared with a with the scientific community, local collaboration is illustrated in the in 1994 to build and operate a IN FIGURES European Union average of 1.84% government, and private enterprise. almost 5000 CNRS research trips to gravitational wave detector called > 59 million inhabitants (2004-2006). With 51%, the public MIUR-led research policy is set in Italy in 2008. Furthermore, Italians VIRGO, based at the European (2008) sector is the largest contributor to three-year plans, called the National make up the largest foreign Gravitational Observatory near Pisa LOOKING BACK WITH VIRGO > 82,489 researchers R&D funding, compared to the private Program for Research (PNR). Applied contingent among CNRS researchers. (see box). Three CNRS laboratories Jointly financed by CNRS and INFN, the VIRGO consequence of Einstein’s theory of general relativity,” (2005) sector’s 48%–an uncommon sciences receive almost half the The numerous informal (IN2P3) and two from the INFN gravitational wave detector is a Michelson laser explains Benoît Mours from LAPP.1 “If a mass is > 16.835 billion euros occurrence in major world economies. annual research spending, while the transalpine collaborations are a (Frascati and Catania) currently interferometer made up of two perpendicular arms, accelerated, it will radiate deformations of space spent on R&D in 2006 The country counts an average of rest is evenly split between breeding ground for a large number collaborate in the design and each three kilometers long. which will spread around. These are called gravita- (1.13% of GDP) just 3.4 researchers per 1000 people development and basic research. of structured cooperation projects construction of modular components Operational since May 2007, VIRGO is expected to tional waves.” To test this theory, VIRGO’s data will be > 4856 CNRS missions to employed, against 8.2 in France. Yet The country’s 61 public and 26 between CNRS and Italy. for a powerful electro-magnetic detect the presence of gravitational radiation produced analyzed in conjunction with those provided by similar Italy in 2008 between 1998 and 2008, Italy private universities, comprising a Three European Associated calorimeter, ALICE EMcal, based at by supernovae explosions or from the merging of detectors in the US and Germany. So far, however, > 1706 scientific produced 371,205 scientific total of 1.8 million students, employ Laboratories (LEAs) were launched in the Large Hadron Collider at the cosmic binary systems (black holes or neutron stars). It gravitational waves have not yet been detected and co-publications with CNRS publications, putting the country in 67,000 researchers and receive about chemistry, knowledge systems, and European Laboratory for Nuclear is capable of “observing” thousands of galaxies and VIRGO, like its international counterparts, will be made

in 2007 eighth position worldwide and fourth 30% of all state R&D spending. nuclear physics–the latter involving Photothèque © IN2P3/EGO-VIRGO/CNRS weakly luminous bodies at a significantly more sensitive. Beyond this fundamental in Europe. The predominant fields In addition to overseeing the Normandy-based Spiral 2 particle distance of up to 300 million test, VIRGO is intended to become a permanent are medical science, space science, university research, the MIUR also accelerator in collaboration with nine light years, thanks to its observatory to further astrophysics and cosmology mathematics, and physics. manages most major research other international teams. Other extreme sensitivity that research, with the potential of directly capturing Over this same period, Italian agencies, including the National international cooperations involve 18 One of VIRGO’s many allows measuring variations information about the first moments of the Universe. publications were the seventh most Research Council (CNR, the largest European/International Research ultra-high vacuum in the path of a laser beam to 1. Laboratoire d’Annecy le Vieux de physique des particules tubes. VIRGO, cited internationally (4.16 million) Italian research organization with Networks (GDREs/GDRIs) mainly in the order of one hundredth of (CNRS / Université de Chambéry). particularly in the fields of molecular approximately 4000 researchers), the human and social sciences, located near Pisa (Italy) is expected to a billionth the size of an atom. Contact Information: Stavros Katsanevas, biology and genetics, immunology, energy and environment agency mathematics, and chemistry, and 13 detect gravitational “Gravitational waves are a IN2P3. [email protected] space science, and neuroscience and (ENEA), and the national institutes of International Projects for Scientific waves.

CNRS International Magazine n° 15 October 2009 CNRS International Magazine n° 15 October 2009

36 INNOVATION Interview Start-up INNOVATION 37

ELECTRONICS completed at the end of February for a budget of Û298,000. We are now seeking other sources Microfluidics Shrinks Fuel Cells of funding. We need Û500,000 so that Almé- dia, the company that we set up at the Franco-Japanese consortium between two silicon wafers etched hundreds of milliwatts of power and all over the world. These could in end of February, can develop the game under has just revealed that it is with microchannels. Methanol from an infinite lifespan are envisaged particular be used as warning sys- license until we have a marketable product. Apossible to make fuel cells a reservoir outside the fuel cell (as long as it’s refueled with tems in the event of fire or chemi- the size of a microchip. The proto- circulates through these fine methanol). The micro fuel cell could cal pollution. And in five to ten years’ What are the next steps? type fuel cell weighs less than 100 grooves, together with the air needed be used to power low-consumption time, Arscott and his colleagues P.S.: A free version of the prototype was made milligrams and has been developed for the reaction. “The microchan- devices, such as MEMS (Micro-Elec- hope to combine several of these available to French teachers in September for by Steve Arscott’s team at IEMN1 nels, which are no deeper than the tro-Mechanical Systems)-type tiny fuel cells into one that could two years,2 during which we hope to set up a in Villeneuve d’Ascq, working in diameter of a single hair, were microsensors, currently developed power more familiar electronic community and get feedback to improve the collaboration with the electronics etched using semi-con- devices, such as mobile phones.2 product. The full version could be accessible by company Sharp. With a power of ductor technology,” Xavier Müller 2011 with a subscription fee of Û5/month. At 50 milliwatts per cubic centimeter, Arscott comments, “and 1. Institut d’électronique, de that price, the company would break even with it is the smallest and most efficient they are the key to the fuel microélectronique et de nanotechnologie just 10,000 players, out of a potential market of fuel cell in the world. Its size would cell’s performance.” The (CNRS / Université Lille-I / Université de Valenciennes / Isen Recherche).

CNRS/université de Strasbourg © CNRS/université 290 million people worldwide. What’s more, make it ideal for future portable microchannels make it 2. A. Kamitani et al., “Improved fuel use Immersed in a world of the game could rapidly come out in German and electronics. possible to precisely efficiency in microchannel based DMFC HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES swashbucklers, Spanish versions, and we are also planning to add So far two patents have already control the flow of using a hydrophilic macroporous layer.” J. Power Sources, 2009. 187: 148-55. players will need to voice recognition modules. been registered in Japan in methanol so as to obtain use French to Interview by Jean-Philippe Braly partnership with CNRS for this an optimal chemical reac- communicate with Gaming Your Way technological marvel. Like all fuel tion, leading to an effi- other players and make 1. Cultures et sociétés en Europe (CNRS / Université de progress in the game. cells of this type, a current is ciency of 75% at room A silicon chip (5 mm x 3.6 mm) Strasbourg). with microchannels through 2. www.theleme-lejeu.com produced from an electrochemical temperature. to Better French which methanol circulates in the reaction: the oxidation of a fuel. This new battery obvi- micro fuel cell. A team from the Strasbourg C&SE laboratory1 is developing a CONTACT INFORMATION Specifically, in this case the reaction ously has a promising Patrick Schmoll takes place between methanol and future in the portable elec- Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) to help people learn C&SE, Strasbourg. air. The device is based on a thin tronics sector. By stack- [email protected] plastic membrane sandwiched ing several cells, several CONTACT INFORMATION French. Patrick Schmoll, the sociologist behind the project, tells us Steve Arscott about his revolutionary educational game dubbed Thélème. IEMN, Villeneuve d’Ascq. [email protected] © IEMN

What exactly is Thélème? tivity among thousands of users. Its concept is PATENTS Patrick Schmoll: Thélème is an online application based on the ever-increasing enthusiasm for that helps you learn French as a foreign lan- video games and persistent virtual worlds like guage. After creating their own characters, World of Warcraft and Second Life. Such games A New Weapon against Prions the players are immersed in a world of generate virtual communities in which users swashbucklers. They then interact in real time spend a lot of time, the key to learning a foreign n the 1980s, the discovery that taminate medical equipment. acid). “Of course, we immediately work in order to adapt the formu- with other non-French players like themselves language. Compared to current online or even prions–the infectious agent that Because of the prion’s powerful wondered whether this chemical lation to hospital practice and to with whom they have to com- offline teaching methods, like CDs and DVDs, Icauses Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease physical and chemical resistance, cocktail would be efficient against medical equipment, which requires municate in French through our concept will be able to evolve and thus have as well as human and animal no fully satisfactory solution had pathogenic prions,” says Sylvain specific cleaning precautions, and to a text-based chat system. They a longer lifespan. It will be cheaper and it needs spongiform encephalopathies–could been found until now. A new Lehmann, group leader at IGH and validate the effectiveness of the also meet French speakers neither a state-of-the-art computer, nor an ultra- be transmitted between humans product–the result of research professor at the university and hos- solution against not only prions but attracted by the game itself, high speed Internet connection. came as a shock. This therefore carried out at the Institute of Human pital of Montpellier. The answer also bacteria, viruses, and parasites. with whom they can improve raised the question of how to decon- Genetics (IGH)1 in Montpellier–has wasn’t long coming: The combina- With this now out of the way, a their language skills. The Where did the idea come from? just been marketed under the name tion of copper and hydrogen per- license has finally been granted, and 2 players’ scores are based on Thélème is the result of our work on vir- ehmann Actanios Prion by the firm Anios. oxide was indeed able to destroy the Actanios Prion is at last available vice de la communication/Université de Strasbourg vice de la communication/Université P.S.:

the quantity and quality of tual communities, which showed how social © S.L It is able to destroy prions without abnormal protein and its infectious on the market. h/Ser the French they use. We are bonding is generated through situations of con- damaging fragile medical equip- nature. “We knew very well the Caroline Dangléant

. Braesc also planning to have teach- flict. In multiplayer online games, the competi- ment like endoscopes. importance of this finding, so we 1. Institut de Génétique Humaine (CNRS). © B ing modules based on virtual tion leads both to conflict and dialog, because in It was while studying the non- registered a patent in 2004 and con- 2. Anios is a subsidiary of Air Liquide, and non-player characters who will entrust players the end, for long-term quests, you simply cannot pathogenic form of prions3 that tacted the firm Anios, with the objec- is the market leader–both in France and the world–in the field of hospital with specific tasks–finding somewhere to live, win without the help of others. All interactions researchers at IGH observed that it tive of developing a marketable decontamination. looking for a job, solving a criminal to exchange information, help one another, cre- could be destroyed by the combined decontamination product.” 3. The prion protein exists in two forms: a investigation–using French as the only means of ate groups and alliances, and build common action of copper and an oxidizing A scientific collaboration with normal, non-pathogenic form, and an abnormal, pathogenic one. communication. strategies are opportunities to speak a common agent such as hydrogen peroxide. an exclusivity option on the patent language: French in the case of Thélème. Until then, decontamination meth- began in 2005 between IGH and What are the advantages of this new learning Model of the ods that worked against prions were Anios, and given the importance of CONTACT INFORMATION three-dimensional either extremely aggressive (caustic this new method, international method? How far have you come in its development? structure of the Sylvain Lehmann P.S.: Thélème should be the first method that P.S.: The playable prototype, which belongs to soda, concentrated bleach, or auto- patent coverage was also sought. IGH, Montpellier. disease-causing [email protected] combines immersion, simulation, and interac- CNRS and the University of Strasbourg, was prion protein. clave), or not very effective (peracetic This was followed by four years of

CNRS International Magazine n5°1October 2009 CNRS International Magazine 5n°1October 2009

38 CNRSNEWSWIRE CNRSNEWSWIRE 39

OPTICS INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

MAGHREB Knowledge on All Scales Mathematics A number of French scientific Optics are central to a number of fields, including telecommunications, astronomy, the life sciences, or institutions, including CNRS, in fundamental physics. Following a key meeting in Lille last July between academia and industry, we take partnership with laboratories from a closer look at this branch of physics whose many applications are as diverse as they are unexpected. Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia, have created the Franco-Maghreb International Associated Laboratory scientific and technical field that deals Whether pointing to the Earth or to the stars, importance to study the quantum vacuum in Installed at the GANIL (LIA) in mathematics and their with physical phenomena and tech- optics is providing high-performance observation fundamental physics. In the European ELI facility in Caen, the APRIM forthcoming Spiral 2 interactions (LF2MI). This LIA follows nologies connected with the emission, tools. Teams at CNRS are developing pulsed project, for example, researchers plan to build a © particle accelerator on a long-standing collaboration in propagation, manipulation, detection, lasers called lidars, which are used to study the laser that will deliver a pulse of around 200 will be able to mathematics between France and A 1 and use of light.” This official definition of optics composition of the Earth’s atmosphere. Astron- petawatts for a duration of approximately 10-15 produce a large these North African countries. Besides conceals a host of applications that the general omy is also benefiting from the progress being seconds.”Yet at these levels of power, there are still number of exotic multiplying collaboration on specific nuclei. public can scarcely imagine. But in one field at made in adaptive optics. “Developed by many technological obstacles that we need to research projects, the partners want to NUCLEAR PHYSICS least–telecommunications–optics has brought astronomers, this method makes it possible to overcome,” warns Chardonnet. organize a number of events about a highly noticeable revolution. “Internet correct the distortion that starlight undergoes Far more compact lasers, with a power of a few (conferences, doctoral schools, etc.) to wouldn’t be what it is today without the progress when it passes through the layers of the milliwatts, can be used to cool down atoms which, Spiral 2 Weaves its International Web develop the field and encourage an that’s been made in the field of optical fibers and atmosphere,” Chardonnet explains. “In practice, in turn, stabilize other lasers: The entire set-up exchange of knowledge in lasers that carry millions of messages in the form the surface of the telescope is modified in real constitutes an atomic clock that is 1000 times pecialists in nuclear physics will soon the objective is to associate the various partners mathematics. of beams of light,” points out Christian time so that it compensates exactly for the more accurate than those used in the well-known have new objects to study: “Exotic” nuclei into a consortium in 2012-2013, the planned Chardonnet, deputy scientific director at CNRS’ distortion, and optimizes the quality of the GPS system. But lasers have many other appli- Sthat do not belong to the list of the 300 or start-up date of Spiral 2. “GANIL has made use CHILE Institute of Physics in Paris. “A revolution in which images. This is the case for the Very Large Tele- cations, in telemetry, navigational aids, the con- so stable elements that currently exist in our uni- of the wide range of European and Interna- Inorganic our researchers have played a significant part.” scope in Chile, which our scientists are working trol of chemical reactions, and even the cleaning verse. These nuclei should be produced in tional partnership tools provided by CNRS to Optics not only helps transmit data, it also on.” This technique has subsequently been intro- of historical monuments. “Optics is a discipline abundance as of 2012 using a new instrument, weave an international web based around Chemistry makes it readable, as shown by the laser scanners duced in biology for so-called “biophotonics” that spills over into every field, and it’s also an area called Spiral 2,1 installed at France’s GANIL Spiral 2,” explains Francesca Grassia from An International Associated Laboratory we use every day. They let us read information applications, to eliminate the disturbance caused in which France is a front runner, thanks to its (National Heavy Ion Accelerator Laboratory) CNRS’Office of European Affairs. This type of (LIA) was created on September 3rd in stored in increasingly compact form on media like by biological fluid during tissue observation. optics research clusters2 and to the excellence of site in Caen. organization could serve as a model to build the field of inorganic chemistry. Called CDs and DVDs. But what will be the next revo- In medicine also, optics has become an CNRS laboratories,” Chardonnet concludes. This large-scale facility will be built under the and fund other large-scale European scientific “Functional Inorganic Materials,” it lution? It will probably deal with the manipulation essential tool, used in laser eye surgery, Jean-Philippe Braly joint supervision of CEA and CNRS, with the facilities of common interest. reinforces a 20-year collaboration of photons, which, amazingly, can now be pro- endoscopy, or imaging, to mention just a few. 1. 1 petawatt = 1015 watts. support of numerous European and interna- Virginie Lepetit between teams from Rennes (Brittany, duced and detected individually. This could pave “The development of ultra-intense lasers should 2. Opticsvalley, Popsud, Alpha, and Route des lasers. tional partnerships. In fact, France)1 and Chile. The aim is to the way for emerging applications like quantum make it possible to generate laser-accelerated Sydney Gales, deputy scien- continue and strengthen the existing cryptography, which would make data exchanged protons for proton therapy, a technique that CONTACT tific director of IN2P3/CNRS2 A GENERATOR OF EXOTIC NUCLEI partnership in research on chemical on the internet impossible to hack. And it could targets cancer tumors far more effectively than Christian Chardonnet and director of GANIL, has synthesis, spectroscopic, structural, even lead to the holy grail: a quantum computer, radiotherapy,” adds Chardonnet. INP, Paris. opted for a series of targeted Fifty meters long and ten meters wide, Spiral 2, installed in a tunnel and theoretical analyses, as well as to [email protected] with hugely increased computing power. Such ultra-intense lasers are also of great bilateral partnerships each eight meters underground, will be a small particle accelerator. Yet it investigate the properties of new focused on one aspect of will provide GANIL physicists with a wide range of exotic nuclei materials. The LIA will concentrate Spiral 2, rather than seeking beams, created by uranium fission. The stakes are considerable, particularly on the creation of smart to team up with partners because such exotic nuclei no longer exist. Formed in the cosmic materials to respond to the strong ready to commit to the proj- cauldrons during the birth or death of stars, their existence was demand for high performance and low ect as a whole. Polish and short-lived since they quickly recomposed into the now familiar polluting materials that could find Italian teams have already stable elements. Their study will doubtless help to reconstitute the applications in the fields of health, set up European Associated pathways that produced the heavy elements of our universe, and to energy, ecology, transport, and Laboratories (LEAs), Japan explore a new, unknown world of nuclear physics. information storage. and India have confirmed V.L. 1. Laboratoire Sciences chimiques de Rennes the creation of International (CNRS / Université Rennes-I / École nationale Associated Laboratories supérieure de chimie de Rennes / Insa Rennes). (LIAs),3 and Memoranda of Understanding 1. Second Generation On-Line Production of Radioactive > Contact: Jean-René Hamon, (MoUs) have been signed with American labo- Ions System. [email protected] 2. Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique ratories. “We also have similar agreements with des Particules du CNRS. Germany, Russia, Romania and Bulgaria, and we 3. LEAs and LIAs are “open” laboratories that formalize are in discussions with Spain, the UK, and the and structure close collaboration between teams. These four-year partnerships can be renewed for a further term. A scientist Czech Republic. Only South America is currently controls the CONTACT INFORMATION polishing of a missing from our global partnership network,” explains Gales. Sydney Gales toroidal mirror IN2P3, Paris. that will equip the Each participating laboratory within this [email protected] Photothèque Tiget/CNRS

Very Large © N. star-like network is committed to part of the Francesca Grassia rin/INSU/LAM/CNRS Photothèque rin/INSU/LAM/CNRS Telescope in Mr. Muga (Catholic University of Valparaiso), er funding for at least four years, the planned life- Office of European Affairs, Paris. Chile. Mr. Migus (CNRS General Director), and Mr. time of the LEAs and LIAs. Over that period, [email protected] © E. P Pérez (University of Chile).

CNRS International Magazine n° 15 October 2009 CNRS International Magazine n° 15 October 2009 40 CNRSNEWSWIRE CNRSNEWSWIRE 41

GENOMICS INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION Soil contains a multitude of bacteria, such as those that fix T SINGAPORE Exploring the Soil’s nitrogen for plants, like Rhizobium leguminosarum Nanotechnologies (below), and Sinorhizobium © BSIP/SCIMA The International Joint Unit (UMI) CINTRA was created on october 7, 2009, between CNRS, meliloti (right). Genetic Biodiversity the Nanyang Technogical University of Singapore, and Thales, one the main industrials in the field of nanotechnologies for electronics and photonics. This private/public sector

The international TerraGenome consortium, led by a . association demonstrates the willingness of the partners to foster, by concrete actions, the French team, is coordinating efforts towards the .S cooperation between research, higher education, and the industrial players in both France

AKE/C.B and Singapore. CINTRA activities will be focused on the integration and interconnection of complete sequencing of the genome of all soil nanotechnologies, such as carbon nanotubes, semiconductor nanowires, and OTOT micro-organisms. An enormous task, but one that semiconductor nanowaveguides for applications in the fields of nanoelectronics, nanophotonics, and microwaves. This UMI represents a major asset for bridging science

could open up countless new possibilities. © BSIP/PH and technological breakthroughs with industrial innovation.

The bacterium Escherichia coli © NIBSC/SPL is used for cloning huge > Contact Information: Luc Le Calvez, CNRS Office in Hanoi, [email protected] collections of DNA fragments s it possible to completely sequence the Soil is the biggest biodiversity reservoir on the from soil bacteria, which can genomes of the tens of thousands of bacteria, planet. “It contains bacteria and fungi which are then be sequenced. archaea, and fungi that inhabit a single gram a source of enzymes and other molecules with of soil? “A few years ago, such a project in considerable industrial and pharmaceutical I PRIZE metagenomics–the analysis of the genomes of all importance–in fact 70% of the antibiotics living organisms in an ecological niche–would currently on the market are derived from soil bac- A CENTER FOR BIODIVERSITY IN 2014 have been unimaginable. But progress in teria,” Simonet explains. “However, most of the Aware of the many threats to biodiversity, a the development of biosensors to evaluate the Gargamelle Collaboration Rewarded microbiology, sequencing, robotics, and bioin- total bacterial biodiversity is still unexplored, number of partners, from both the public and health of ecosystems, detect toxic species or the formatics now make it possible,” explains Pascal and makes up an almost inexhaustible reser- private sectors,1 have come together to create the presence of pollutants. Space will be allocated for his year, the European Physical Society has awarded its 1 Simonet, from the Ampère Laboratory. And this voir of novel bioactive molecules, largely exceed- Research center for biodiversity and marine the transitory housing of start-ups in the field. The prestigious High Energy and Particle Physics Prize is how TerraGenome–the international consortium ing anything that could ever be synthesized.” biotechnologies. CNRS will be involved through center will also have a public information mission, T(HEPP) to the Gargamelle collaboration for the “obser- for soil metagenomics–was born in December On average, every gram of soil contains a the National Institute for Earth Sciences and with the creation of the “biodiversarium.” This vation of the weak neutral current interaction”–interactions 2008, as an extension of Metasoil, a French research billion bacterial cells, but it is still impossible Astronomy (INSU) and the National Institute for unusual aquarium, there to teach the general that involve no exchange of electric charge between the par- initiative dedicated to the sequencing of all to define the number of species present. “Partly Ecology and Environment (INEE). With an initial public about ecology and biodiversity, will ticles concerned. The Gargamelle experiment took place at microorganisms in a reference soil. With a budget because less than 1% of these micro-organisms budget of €11 million, this center located on recreate Mediterranean biotopes with local CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) in the of Û2.2 million over three years, Metasoil brings can be grown in vitro,” adds Simonet, “and partly France's southern “Côte Vermeille” (bordering species. Approximately 110,000 visitors are early seventies. It was carried out by a collaboration of seven 2 1 together a number of French labs and is coordinated because the soil is complex and heterogeneous: Spain), should be operational by 2014. A number of expected in this tourist area. European laboratories, including CNRS labs, as well as by researchers from the Ampère Laboratory. Some areas are like overpopulated megacities research projects are already on the agenda. The I.T. guests from Japan, Russia, and the US. TerraGenome is set to help scientists from other hardly accessible to research, while others are private company Pierre Fabre, associated to Paris- The HEPP prize is awarded every two years for an out- countries cooperate with the Metasoil project. genuine microbial deserts. In addition, most of VI University and CNRS, will actively search for 1. Pierre Fabre Laboratories, France's national, regional, standing contribution to High Energy Physics in experi- these species only comprise a few individuals.” departmental, and municipal administrative divisions, the mental, theoretical, or technological areas. It is the first time natural active substances that could be used in city of Banyuls, Paris-VI and Perpignan Universities, and This is why scientists opted for a metage- therapeutics and cosmetics. Other projects involve CNRS' INSU and INEE. that the prize is awarded to a large collaboration. The prize

nomic approach. It consists in directly extracting © CERN was collected on behalf of the joint collaboration at the EPS bacterial DNA without previous isolation of The first example of the leptonic HEP 2009 Conference in Krakow (Poland), and the medal bacterial strains on culture media. “Once CONTACT INFORMATION neutral current. An incoming muon- will be attached to the Gargamelle bubble chamber, on dis- extracted and purified, the overall DNA can be Rothamsted’s biological resources will be antineutrino knocks an electron play at CERN. Pascal Simonet forwards, creating a characteristic Laboratoire Ampère, Lyon. either directly sequenced, or cloned as fragments made available to the international scientific 1. Laboratoire de l’accélérateur linéaire (CNRS-IN2P3 / Université Paris-XI) [email protected] electronic shower with electron- of around 40 genes (40 kilobases) before community, which, through TerraGenome, will positron pairs. and Laboratoire Leprince-Ringuet (CNRS-IN2P3 / École polytechnique). sequencing. The first approach makes it possi- be given the job of completing the sequencing and ble to obtain an initial catalog of the genes pres- analysis of the two million clones in the Metasoil ent in the bacterial community, whereas the sec- DNA bank. “Two US labs have already applied for IN BRIEF ond approach gives more precise information, funding to collaborate on our project,” Simonet such as how genes interact with one another.” adds enthusiastically. The work carried out on the ERC Starting Grants Attributed the main list, and 2 on the GRANTEES BY COUNTRY OF HOST INSTITUTION Launched last January, the Metasoil project reference soil should help us understand bacterial waiting list). The average is focused on analyzing the soil from one of the mechanisms of adaptation and evolution, and age of grantees is 36 and world’s oldest agricultural research stations: complete the inventory of bacterial functions. Of the 2503 applications received, French institutions, including 9 around 23% are women Rothamsted (UK). A large amount of information Such information will be very valuable to 219 researchers were selected as researchers at CNRS (6 in life (with large variations

about this soil is available: the climatic conditions, agriculture and industry, in particular to the recipients of the European Research sciences, 2 in physics and between the different 09

the crops grown, the treatments applied, etc.–and pharmaceutical industry. Council’s (ERC) second call for engineering, and 1 in social research areas and panels). C 20

all this over the past 150 years. “Our sampling Marie Lescroart © ER

. Simonet Starting Grants, and an additional 24 sciences and humanities). Five The grantees are of 33

© P method will consist in taking around 20 samples researchers are on a waiting list. other French researchers are nationalities and will be The soil of the Park Grass plots at the Rothamsted distributed throughout various periods of the 1. Laboratoire Ampère (CNRS / École Centrale de Lyon / The total budget is estimated at €325 currently on a waiting list. working in host institutions in 19 Starting Grant, thus fulfilling Experimental Station (UK), was selected as a year. The first molecules of metagenomic DNA Insa / Université Lyon-I). million, which could bring the total Altogether, France is second- different countries. Nine grantees one the project’s main objective: reference for the complete sequencing of the extracted at Rothamsted are already being 2. The Ampère Laboratory, the Genoscope in Evry, Libragen, number of confirmed grants to ranked in number of grantees (after currently based outside Europe are attracting top researchers to genomes of the various micro-organisms present in a and a group of bioinformatics scientists coordinated by soil, the objective of the international TerraGenome sequenced, and the first million clones will be pro- researchers at the Biometrics and Evolutionary Biology approximately 240. the UK), and ranks first in the life moving to an EU Member State or Europe. project. duced by the end of 2009,” Simonet explains. Laboratory in Villeurbanne. Among the 219 grantees, 26 work in sciences with 16 grantees (14 on associated country to take up their > http://erc.europa.eu

CNRS International Magazine n° 15 October 2009 CNRS International Magazine n° 15 October 2009

42 CNRSNEWSWIRE AMAZING IMAGES CNRS in Brief The Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (National Center for Scientific Research) is a government-funded research organization under the administrative authority of France’s Ministry of Research. Facts…

Founded in 1939 by evaluations. There are two between fields, ensure civilian research. This funding governmental decree, CNRS types of labs: economic and technological comes from various sources: has the following missions: CNRS labs: fully funded and development, and solve Government and public To evalulate and carry out all managed by CNRS complex societal problems. funding research capable of Joint labs: partnered with www.cnrs.fr/prg/PIR/liste.htm CNRS funds, primarily from advancing knowledge and universities, other research industrial and EU research bringing social, cultural, and organizations, or industry The CNRS annual budget contracts and royalties on economic benefits to society represents one-quarter of patents, licenses, and To contribute to the As the largest fundamental French public spending on services provided application and promotion of research organization in research results Europe, CNRS is involved in all To develop scientific scientific fields, organized into communication the following areas of To support research training research: To participate in the analysis Life sciences … And Figures of the national and Physics international scientific Chemistry Budget for 2009 Organization Industrial Relations climate and its potential for Mathematics Û3.36 billion of which > 9 thematic institutes (2007) evolution in order to develop Computer science Û607 million comes > 19 regional offices, > 1680 contracts signed a national policy Earth sciences and from revenues ensuring decentralized by CNRS with industry Astronomy generated by CNRS direct management of in 2007 CNRS research units are Humanities and Social contracts laboratories > 30 current agreements spread throughout France, and sciences > 1100 research with major internat- employ a large body of Environmental sciences and Personnel units–90% are joint ional industrial groups permanent researchers, Sustainable development 32,000 employees: research laboratories > 3103 patent families engineers, technicians, and Engineering 11,600 researchers, with universities and > 729 licenses and other administrative staff. 14,400 engineers and industry financially remune- Laboratories are all on CNRS conducts some twenty technical staff, and 6000 rating active acts four-year, renewable interdisciplinary programs in non-permanent > Û58.2 million in royalties contracts, with bi-annual order to promote exchange employees > 394 companies created between 1999 Optical Nanosource and 2008 What could pass for a shredded piece of semiconductors have the ability to confine paper or string cheese is actually a 100- and conduct light. Such nanostructures are nanometer-wide vertical wall that has lost its then used to design and produce ultra- rigidity. Made of a Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) compact optical sources in the near- and DAE AND DRI, TWO OFFICES DEVOTED TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS semiconductor, these “threads” show what mid-infrared ranges. This picture won the CNRS carries out research direct relations with its organizations as well as the IN NUMBERS: > International Programs for happens when a nanowall–an extremely thin 2nd prize in a photography contest organized activities throughout the institutional partners abroad. activities of the Ministries of Exchange agreements: Scientific Cooperation wire approximately 100 nm wide and 3 µm during the LIA-LN22 symposium last July. This world, in collaboration with The DAE and the DRI Research and Foreign 85 (with 60 countries) (PICS): 363 (microns) high–attains the physical limits of international laboratory, created by CNRS in local partners, thus pursuing promote cooperation Affairs. > International Associated dimension reduction, explains Maïté Volatier, 2008, brings together teams from France and an active international policy. between CNRS laboratories To carry out their mission, Foreign visiting Laboratories (LEA + LIA): 89 a PhD student at CRN21 in Sherbrooke, Quebec. It aims to encourage collective and foreign research teams the DAE and the DRI–with scientists: 5000 (PhD > International Research students, post-docs, and Groups (GDRE + GDRI): 90 Quebec. Compared to “classic” research projects in the fields of The Office of European through a set of structured head offices in Paris–rely on visiting researchers) > International Joint Units semiconductors, which are mainly used in nanotechnologies and nanosystems. Affairs (DAE) and the Office collaborative instruments a network of eight (UMI): 18 microelectronics, GaAs-based Marie-Hélène Towhill of International Relations developed for this purpose. representative offices Permanent foreign staff

(DRI) coordinate and At the same time, they abroad, as well as on the members: Photothèque at/CRN2-Sherbrook/LIA-LN2/CNRS 1. Centre de Recherche en Nanofabrication et Nanocaractérisation (Université de Sherbrooke, Quebec). av implement the policies of coordinate CNRS actions science and technology > About 1700 researchers of 2. Laboratoire international associé en nanotechnologies et nanosystèmes (www.labn2.ca). Contact: Isabelle Chauvel, CNRS in Europe and the rest with those of other French offices in French embassies whom more than 1200 come [email protected] olatier R V Contact Information: Maïté Volatier Ravat, CRN2, Sherbrooke. [email protected] of the world, and maintain and international research around the world. from Europe www.drei.cnrs.fr © M.

CNRS International Magazine n5°1October 2009 FRENCH NATIONAL CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH OFFICES ABROAD

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