Professor Pierre Buffet has been appointed as Medical Director of the Institut Pasteur. Pierre Buffet took up his post on January 3, 2022 within the Institut Pasteur's Department of Scientific Affairs.
Professor Pierre Buffet has been appointed as Medical Director within the Institut Pasteur's Department of Scientific Affairs, led by Senior Executive Scientific Vice-President Christophe d'Enfert.
Pierre Buffet obtained his MD from the Necker Enfants Malades/Paris Descartes University Faculty of Medicine. He is a Professor and Hospital Practitioner in cellular biology at Université de Paris and in the Paris Public Hospital Network (AP-HP). He specializes in dermatology, with an additional specialization in infectious dermatology, emergency dermatology, mycology (the Pasteur course) and blood transfusion.
Between 1998 and 2007, Pierre Buffet held various positions at the Institut Pasteur before continuing with his university hospital career. Since January 2014, Pierre Buffet has led an Inserm-Université de Paris research team in the Integrated Red Blood Cell Biology joint research unit (UMR 1134).
While pursuing his research activities, Pierre Buffet will lead the various component entities in the Department of Scientific Affairs:
- the Center for Translational Science, which has the role of promoting and supporting the Institut Pasteur's biomedical research,
- the Institut Pasteur Medical Center (CMIP), which focuses on infectious and tropical diseases, international vaccinations and travel medicine.
He will also coordinate the Institut Pasteur's public health activities, led by:
- the 14 National Reference Centers (CNRs)* hosted at the Institut Pasteur in coordination with Santé publique France,
- the Laboratory for Urgent Response to Biological Threats (CIBU), whose primary mission is to respond to specific biological emergencies such as epidemics.
For Professor Stewart Cole, President of the Institut Pasteur: "At the Institut Pasteur, basic research and biomedical research are closely linked and mutually beneficial. Pierre Buffet's extensive experience in clinical research in the field of infectious diseases and his expertise in research applications will be invaluable in supporting the development of the Institut Pasteur's public health mission."
"I am very much looking forward to coming back to the Institut Pasteur so that I can contribute to its impact on public health. It is a reference whose crucial role has again been in evidence since the start of the COVID-19 epidemic. The role of the Medical Department is to offer its expertise to help scientists evaluate and validate the potential applications of their discoveries, in conjunction with the Institut Pasteur Medical Center and our major university and hospital partners," comments Professor Buffet.
Biography of Professor Pierre Buffet
Pierre Buffet obtained his MD from the Necker Enfants Malades/Paris Descartes University Faculty of Medicine. He is a Professor and Hospital Practitioner in cellular biology at Université de Paris and in the Paris Public Hospital Network (AP-HP). He specializes in dermatology, with additional qualifications in infectious dermatology, emergency dermatology, mycology (the Pasteur course) and blood transfusion. He holds a degree in parasitic immunology, a Master's in the evaluation of anti-infective agents, a PhD in microbial biochemistry from Paris Diderot University with a thesis on malaria in pregnant women (2000), and an accreditation to supervise research (HDR) from Pierre & Marie Curie University (2006).
Pierre Buffet held several positions at the Institut Pasteur from 1998 to 2007: he was Chief Resident at the Institut Pasteur Hospital, Head of the Clinical Research Center and then of the Institut Pasteur Medical Center, and Head of the Biomedical Research Center.
Since January 2014, Pierre Buffet has led an Inserm-Université de Paris research team in the Integrated Red Blood Cell Biology joint research unit (UMR 1134).
Pierre Buffet also provides initial medical training and lectures on several university and inter-university degree courses in the fields of cellular biology and infectiology. He has been a member of the Inserm Specialized Scientific Committee for Immunology and Infection, an expert for the ANR, PHRC, CIRC, ANSM, WHO and the DNDi Scientific Advisory Committee, and is a member of the Scientific Council of the French Foundation for Medical Research (FRM). He works closely with two French National Reference Centers (CNRs) (for leishmaniasis and malaria).
Pierre Buffet has authored several publications based on collaborative international research, including within the Pasteur Network. His publications have been cited in indexed journals.
* List of the 14 CNRs hosted at the Institut Pasteur:
Anaerobic bacteria and botulism; Corynebacteria of the diphtheriae complex; Escherichia coli, Shigella, Salmonella; Hantaviruses; Invasive mycoses and antifungals; Leptospirosis; Listeria; Meningococci and Haemophilus influenzae; Plague and other Yersinia infections; Rabies; Respiratory viruses (including influenza); Vibrios and cholera; Viral hemorrhagic fevers (Lyon); Whooping cough and other Bordetella infections.
Photo credit (portrait) : © Olivier Pasquiers