The "Chemistry, Biology, and Health" (CBS) Research Cluster

This cluster brings together laboratories conducting research in the fields of biology, life sciences-oriented chemistry, medicine, and pharmacy. Its research spans the entire spectrum, from basic research to applied research and clinical research. It relies on close collaboration with the Grenoble Alpes University Hospital and the French Blood Establishment.

Strategic Priorities

Integrative Structural and Cellular Biology

  • Study of the structure and dynamics of biological macromolecules to understand their vital functions, from the atomic scale to complex organisms.
  • Applications in drug discovery, ranging from the identification of therapeutic targets to molecular design.
  • A multidisciplinary approach that combines biology, physics, and chemistry and requires the use of very high-resolution analytical techniques.

Molecular, bio-inspired, sustainable chemistry

  • Energy Transition: Developing a Chemical Industry Free from the Use of Fossil Fuels.
  • Biological integration: leveraging knowledge in molecular biology to develop more efficient biomolecular systems.
  • Design, synthesis, and application of innovative molecular architectures—often bio-inspired or bio-targeted—aimed at providing concrete solutions in three areas critical to society: energy, the environment, and health.

Chronic diseases, cancers

  • A continuum of scientific expertise, ranging from the study of molecules to patients, covering a broad spectrum of biological disciplines, including: genetics and epigenetics, cell biology and cell-cell interactions, immunology and metabolism, the study of host-pathogen interactions, and environmental epidemiology.
  • Interdisciplinary approaches to addressing the complexity of diseases, promoting the integration of knowledge to accelerate preclinical and clinical discoveries.

Neuroscience

  • Understanding the Nervous System: Development and Function under Normal and Pathological Conditions.
  • Focus on major diseases: development of therapeutic solutions or compensatory strategies for neurological and neurodegenerative disorders, including diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, neuropathies, and epilepsy, as well as severe forms of disability (stroke, traumatic brain injury).
  • Interdisciplinary approach: drawing on a wide range of scientific and technological expertise, including: cellular and molecular biology, neurophysiology, clinical neurology, neurotechnology, chemistry and physics, computer science, signal and image processing, and artificial intelligence.

Health and Wellness Technologies

  • Development of new medical devices and biotherapies through biological engineering.
  • Research and development of accurate diagnostic tools and reliable biomarkers.
  • Development of innovative cellular systems (spheroids, organoids, organs-on-a-chip).
  • Large-scale use of health data using artificial intelligence tools for analysis and prediction.

Partners

Key partners: Secondary partners:

Laboratories

Doctoral Schools

Published on 3 October 2025
Updated on 16 July 2026