Seiamak Bahram is the director of the “Molecular Immuno-Rheumatology” unit (Unit 1109, Inserm/University of Strasbourg), director of the Interdisciplinary Thematic Institute for Precision Medicine of Strasbourg – Transplantex NG, and head of the Immunology Laboratory at the Strasbourg University Hospitals.
Seiamak Bahram’s goal is to identify the genetic factors involved in the two major complications of transplantation: graft-versus-host disease after bone marrow transplantation, and chronic rejection after organ transplantation. These complications, linked to the functioning of the immune system, arise from still-unknown incompatibilities between donor and recipient.
Professor Bahram’s team aims to map all the genetic factors that may influence the success or failure of a transplant. To achieve this, they will use an innovative approach combining several cutting-edge genetic techniques to analyze the genetic and immune profiles of a cohort of patients who received a kidney transplant from a related donor presumed to be 100% compatible. Combined with long-term patient follow-up, this analysis should help reveal hidden incompatibilities.
By uncovering these new genes involved in the immune system, Prof. Bahram hopes to transform the way donor–recipient compatibility is assessed and pave the way for more personalized therapies and more rational organ allocation.
Each year, thanks to the generosity of its donors, the Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale honors exceptional researchers recognized for their innovative and promising work. It is a unique opportunity for the FRM to highlight outstanding scientists who, by devoting their lives to research, open the path to tomorrow’s therapies.
This year, Seiamak Bahram is awarded the Victor and Erminia Mescle Prize. This €100,000 prize comes from a donation by Erminia Mescle and was created in her memory and that of her husband, Victor Mescle. It is intended to support research projects in organ transplantation and/or cell therapy.
