Professor Seiamak Bahram.

-

Strasbourg University Hospitals

  • Strasbourg professor Seiamak Bahram was awarded a new prize.

    Already known worldwide for his discovery of new histocompatibility genes in humans in the context of organ transplants, he has been rewarded for his work on blood diseases.

  • What did he discover with his teams?

    "We managed to identify the genetic causes of two of them which were until then unknown and very rare," he summarizes.

  • The Academy of Medicine will present him with his prize on December 15.

It is a “work of seven, eight years” which was rewarded.

Yet accustomed to distinctions, Professor Seiamak Bahram, 56, does not hide his pride.

The Strasbourg researcher has just been honored with the prestigious national prize of the Academy of Medicine, in particular for his discoveries on blood diseases.

Precisely?

"We managed to identify the genetic causes of two of them which were until then unknown and very rare," he explains, trying to popularize his discipline as best as possible.

“For the first disease, a gene, SRP54, causes a severe form of congenital neutropenia.

Clearly, the person suffers from a deficit of white blood cells and cannot fight against infections.

The second disease is characterized by hyperinflammation syndrome and there it was found to be related to mutations in the NCKAP1L gene.

"

Findings useful for cancer patients?

These discoveries could pave the way for treatments.

First for the patients concerned but also for others.

"It could be interesting for those with cancer who have a drop in the level of their white blood cells during chemotherapy treatment", explains the one who is also head of department at the University Hospitals of Strasbourg and responsible for a unit of Inserm research of around a hundred people.

Their work is far from over and continues with the study of patients "sent from all over the world".

But also on specific viruses like ... Covid-19.

“We are particularly interested, at the systemic level, in the case of young people.

In order to find out why some people develop severe forms of the disease and others not at all, ”concludes Seiamak Bahram.

He will receive his award on December 15.

Science

Academics publish open letter denouncing backward scientific study

Media

"Science & life": The drafting votes a motion of no confidence against the management

  • Research