Sophie LIMOU

• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Physiology
• Human Genomics
• Bioinformatics
• Biostatistics and R programming

My research focuses on defining the genetic determinants of complex diseases (genetic epidemiology) using genomics, bioinformatics and biostatistics. After investigating the molecular factors impacting HIV replication and progression to AIDS (genomics and epigenomics), I started exploring the renal complications occurring in HIV-infected subjects to progressively dive into nephrogenomics to explore the determinants for kidney function and nephropathies (APOL1-mediated kidney diseases). Over the recent years, I developed two large DNA biocollections dedicated to kidney (KiT-GENIE, n=2000 donor-recipient pairs) and lung (GenCOLT, n=400 donor-recipient pairs) transplantation to define HLA and non-HLA incompatibilities associated with allotransplantation outcomes. We also promote these biocollections through collaborations and the international iGeneTRAiN consortium.

In addition, we study functional genomics by integrating gene expression (transcriptomics) and regulation (epigenomics) data in order to identify causal genes and consider the complexity of biological interactions (molecular networks). By integrating multi-omics and clinical data, I ambition to reveal biomarkers and drug targets to accelerate the translation toward clinical care and fulfill the promise of personalized medicine.
 

Keywords: human genetic epidemiology, genomics, bioinformatics, biostatistics, multi-omics, systems biology, health disparity/public health, infectious disease/HIV, nephrology, kidney transplantation, lung transplantation, biomarkers, precision medicine.