A consortium exploring the pathophysiology of ion transport and excitability
Its activities span the entire spectrum, from from basic science to translation and innovation, by combining:
- Cutting edge techniques (ex vivo & in vivo electrophysiology, optopharmacology, transcriptomics, high-speed imaging);
- Integrative science (animal models, computational modeling and AI);
- Pathophysiological investigations (pain, migraine, cancer, heart disease, autism, intellectual disabilities, Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s disease, mental disorders, epilepsy);
- Therapeutic innovation (development of novel strategies in neurostimulation, pharmacology and precision medicine).
- Training the next generation of researchers through competitive PhD fellowships in partnership with the EUR LIFE program;
- Enhancing University Côte d’Azur’s international reach through global training programs, research networks, and collaborations;
- Organizing high-level scientific events to foster knowledge exchange;
- Driving technological innovations and strengthening partnerships with industry and the University Hospital.
Organization
- Codirectors
- Scientific Steering Committee
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PhD Program
The PSI Ion Channel PhD program launched its fellowship call.
More information
Results
The 2026 PhD Call of the Ion Channels IdEx Strategic Program attracted strong interest from the scientific community, with 6 proposals submitted, 5 projects shortlisted for interviews, and 3 projects selected for funding.- Funded Projects
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Role of the THIK1 channel in nociception and pain chronicity
- Principal Investigators: Delphine Bichet, Anne Baron
- Laboratory: IPMC
- PhD Candidate: Benoit Thomas
- Research Area: Neuroscience and Pain Mechanisms
Excitability in the centrolateral thalamus as a key regulator of chronic neuropathic pain
- Principal Investigator: Bianca Silva
- Laboratory: IPMC
- PhD Candidate: Di Pace Agnese
- Research Area: Systems Neuroscience and Pain Circuits
Targeting the BKCA potassium channel to control stromal plasticity in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC)
- Principal Investigator: Olivier Soriani
- Laboratory: iBV
- PhD Candidate: Ripoche Léa
- Research Area: Cancer Biology and Ion Channel Physiology
- Selection Process
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The Ion Channels Doctoral Programme call attracted six high-quality applications from researchers across Université Côte d’Azur. Following eligibility checks, all proposals were evaluated by external experts with recognized expertise in the fields of ion channels, ion transporters and cellular excitability, ensuring an independent assessment of scientific excellence and innovation.
Based on the external evaluations, five projects were shortlisted for interviews and invited to present their research during auditions held on 22 June 2026. All shortlisted proposals received excellent reviews, with external evaluation scores ranging from 34 to 40 out of 40, highlighting the outstanding scientific quality of the applications.
The auditions were conducted by the same multidisciplinary jury involved in the evaluation of the DYNABio Doctoral Programme and the EUR LIFE / Academy 4 doctoral call. Although the ranking processes for the different programmes were conducted independently, the candidates from the Ion Channels Programme ranked among the highest-scoring applicants across all auditions, confirming the strength and competitiveness of the selected projects.
Following the evaluation process, three PhD projects were selected for funding within the Ion Channels programme. The funded projects address key challenges in neuroscience, pain mechanisms, cancer biology and ion channel physiology, reflecting the programme’s ambition to strengthen Université Côte d’Azur’s leadership in research on ion channels, ion transporters and cellular excitability.
This rigorous selection process reflects the programme’s commitment to supporting excellent, innovative and impactful research in the field of ion channels and their roles in health and disease.
Scientific Animation
The IdEx Strategic Program Ion Channels actively supports and promotes scientific interactions within the ion channel research community at Université Côte d’Azur. Through the organization of scientific events, the hosting of internationally renowned researchers, and the support of specialized conferences, the program contributes to strengthening the visibility and attractiveness of the Côte d’Azur research ecosystem in this strategic field.
- Conferences supported by the PSI
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- Ion Channel Regulation Symposium - Nice, December 2026
- International Meeting on Ion Channel Physiology and Pathophysiology - Nice, October 2027
- Visiting Scientists and Seminars
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The PSI encourages scientific exchanges by facilitating visits from internationally recognized researchers and promoting seminars organized across the Université Côte d’Azur research community.
Medha Pathak (University of California, Irvine)
The PSI recently welcomed Dr. Medha Pathak, a researcher at the University of California, Irvine (USA), whose work focuses on Piezo ion channels and mechanotransduction. Dr. Pathak collaborates closely with Nobel Prize laureate Ardem Patapoutian, whose discoveries have significantly advanced our understanding of mechanosensation.
During her visit to the Institut de Biologie Valrose (iBV), hosted by Guillaume Sandoz, Dr. Pathak presented her latest research and engaged in scientific discussions with members of the local ion channel community.
Such visits provide valuable opportunities for researchers and students at Université Côte d’Azur to interact with internationally recognized experts and explore future collaborative projects.
News
1. Kick-off meeting
The first “kick-off” PSI Ion Channel meeting was held on 15 October 2026, and welcomed both consortium members and local master’s students.