On recrute !

Des camélidés aux diagnostics de demain : le LabCom NVDIAG recrute son ingénieur·e !

Lancé en décembre 2025, NVDIAG — acronyme de Nano-antibody generation using extracellular Vesicles for DIAgnostic purposes — est un laboratoire commun (LabCom) issu d’un partenariat bilatéral entre le Laboratoire d’Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM) et BioCytex, tous deux basés à Marseille. NVDIAG joue un rôle moteur dans l’innovation en hémato-oncologie, en se concentrant sur le développement d’anticorps monoclonaux de camélidés (nano-anticorps) au service de divers tests et solutions de diagnostic compagnon.

Nous recherchons un·e candidat·e motivé·e pour développer des anticorps monoclonaux de camélidés (Nano-antibody) et caractériser des interactions biomoléculaires.

Vos missions : production et purification de protéines recombinantes, génération de nano-antibody, études d’interaction par ELISA et BLI, analyse de résultats biophysiques et participation à des études structurales par cristallographie aux rayons X.

📍 LISM, CNRS Marseille
📄 CDD 22 mois, temps plein
💶 2571 € à 3312 € bruts mensuels selon expérience
🎓 Bac+5, 2 ans d’expérience minimum
🗓️ Prise de poste le 01/11/2026
✉️ CV + lettre de motivation à contact@nvdiag-labcom.fr avant le 16/09/2026

👉 Consulter la fiche de poste

 

 

New Publication

Our LabCom at the heart of an international collaboration!

Clara Bouyx and Alain Roussel contributed to a study published in Cell Reports, alongside researchers from Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research & Technology, Synchrotron SOLEIL and Singzyme. B7-H3 (CD276) is a protein overexpressed in many solid tumors, where it plays a role in immune evasion and is associated with poor clinical prognosis. It is an attractive target for both diagnosis and therapy — and precisely one of the targets in our pipeline!

The generation of T3CL11, a nano-antibody specific for both human and mouse B7-H3, shows promising results for the detection of B7-H3-positive tumors in vivo in osteosarcoma and colorectal cancer models — paving the way for diagnostic imaging and theranostic applications.

These findings highlight the potential of our platform to turn complex immunological targets into innovative diagnostic tools.

👉 Read the publication

 

 

Focus on Zoé Jobert: Biotech engineering tackling rare diseases!

For this 3rd portrait in our series dedicated to the talents of NVDIAG LabCom, we introduce you to Zoé, a final-year student at SupBiotech, a leading biotechnology engineering school. Currently completing her end-of-studies internship, she brings her engineering perspective to a major challenge: the CD42a/CD42b project.

The Challenge: Bernard-Soulier Syndrome. This rare hematological disorder is linked to a defect in the GPIb-IX protein complex on the surface of platelets, leading to coagulation disorders. In partnership with BioCytex, Zoé is working on developing an innovative diagnostic kit through two complementary approaches:

  • Producing the complex on extracellular vesicles (EVs) to generate nano-antibodies in their native conformation.
  • Selecting nano-antibodies against soluble recombinant proteins.

On a daily basis, Zoé deploys the full technical arsenal acquired during her years at SupBiotech: phage display, Western Blot, ELISA, BLI (Bio-Layer Interferometry), and flow cytometry. She particularly enjoys managing a research project in its entirety, from experimental design to the analysis of results.

Supporting future engineers from SupBiotech in projects with high medical impact is a true source of pride for NVDIAG.

Well done, Zoé, for your expertise and commitment!

 

 

Discovering the CD96 project with Emilie LOUAT

Continuing our series of portraits dedicated to NVDIAG LabCom students, today we highlight Emilie, a Master 2 student in Biology and Health, specializing in Therapeutic Engineering and Bioproduction in Health Biotechnologies at the University of Montpellier.

Since February, Emilie has been conducting her final internship within the lab, where she focuses on developing nanobodies targeting CD96. This protein, found on the surface of certain immune system cells, plays a key role in tumor progression.

The stakes of her research are major: utilizing the small size and unique properties of camelid nano-antibodies to create cutting-edge tools, both for the diagnosis of leukemia and for new therapeutic strategies such as CAR-T cells. On a daily basis, Emilie is fully integrated into our « EV-nAb » technology platform. She actively participates in all stages of the process: from the production of extracellular vesicles (EVs) displaying receptors in their native form to selection by phage display, and the precise characterization of candidates via ELISA, Western Blot, or flow cytometry.

The expertise she is developing on these complex membrane receptors is at the heart of the innovation driven by NVDIAG to transform research into concrete medical solutions.

Training and supporting the next generation of biotechnology researchers is a central mission of our LabCom. Well done, Emilie, for your commitment to this ambitious project!

 

 

NVDIAG presented its advancements at AIS 2026

The NVDIAG LabCom team was very happy to be present at the 14th Antibody Industrial Symposium (AIS 2026) held in Montpellier on June 30 and July 1.  It was a special opportunity to share our work on the development of nano-antibodies (nAbs) from our cutting-edge platform using extracellular vesicles (EVs) for the presentation of native membrane proteins.

4 posters were in the spotlight :

Clara Bouyx presented the use of EVs as a dual platform for nano-antibody discovery and direct binding kinetics measurements on CD38, a key biomarker for multiple myeloma. Her demonstration proves that this technology allows for the revelation of native epitopes that are absent from classic soluble recombinant proteins. Check her poster

Cléa Vessiere detailed an innovative « phage display » strategy on EVs with epitope masking.  The objective? To identify non-competitive binders (such as NVD011) allowing for reliable quantification of CD38, even in the presence of therapeutic antibody treatments. Check her poster

Cassandre Vedel displayed her work on CD33, a target of interest in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). She presented the development of the NVD_110 nanobody, which is capable of specifically detecting a truncated isoform of the protein, opening new perspectives for patient diagnosis. Check her poster

Ellen Donker showcased an innovative method for the direct BLI screening of non-purified nanobodies from bacterial lysates. This optimized workflow enables early kinetic evaluation of candidates without prior purification, providing a major time-saving advantage in selecting high-affinity binders for conditions such as kidney diseases or dry eye disease. Check her poster

 

🌟 Training for the future

As we have mentioned in our previous posts, training the next generation of researchers is a central mission of the NVDIAG LabCom. Seeing Cléa and Cassandre carry our research projects to an international level perfectly illustrates this commitment.

Bravo to them for the quality of their work and their involvement! 👏

 

 

Discovering the CD19 project with Ilona TESTA !

As part of our video portrait series dedicated to NVDIAG LabCom students, we’re today giving the floor to Ilona, a final-year student at Polytech Marseille and enrolled in a Master 2 in Health Biology – Oncology at Faculté des sciences médicales et paramédicales Aix Marseille Université.

Her internship project at the Laboratoire d’Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM)? Developing nano-antibodies targeting CD19, a B-cell surface protein at the heart of haemato-oncology therapies. The originality of her approach: identifying nano-antibodies able to recognise epitopes distinct from those already exploited by existing therapies — with the goal of improving CD19 detection, including post-treatment, when certain epitopes may become less accessible.

On a daily basis, Ilona works with extracellular vesicles (EVs) displaying CD19 in a native membrane context, and characterises her nano-antibody candidates using ELISA, flow cytometry and BLI — an approach at the core of our EV-nAb platform expertise.

What stands out from her portrait? A student driven by a genuine passion for research, who finds in every experiment — successful or not — a reason to keep going.

Training the next generation of researchers is a central mission of the LabCom. Ilona is a great example of that.

 

 

From the bench to the farm: a strategic step for our future researchers!

On May 18th, members of the NVDIAG LabCom team had the opportunity to visit Ferme Pigase near Lyon. This immersion allowed them to concretely visualize a strategic stage of their work: meeting the immunized llamas used for nano-antibody (VHH) production. The biological material provided by these animals is the starting point for the development of our innovative diagnostic tools.

Our three students in training: Ilona Testa (CD19 project), Emilie Louat (CD96 project), and Zoé Jobert (CD42a/CD42b project).

Special mention for Lisa Castel-Sames, Research Engineer at AlterDiag, who shared her expertise during this technical visit.

Training the next generation of researchers is a core mission of NVDIAG; We are committed to providing our interns with a comprehensive view of their projects—from the initial biological source to advanced laboratory characterization using techniques such as ELISA, flow cytometry, and BLI. A huge thank you to the team at Ferme Pigase for their warm welcome and for allowing our students to finally meet the « stars » behind their research projects.

 

Strategic potential of the CD38 target and anti-CD38 nano-antibodies developed by NVDIAG

Strategic potential of the CD38 target and anti-CD38 nano-antibodies developed by NVDIAG

 

In the current biotechnology development landscape, the CD38 target and anti-CD38 antibodies represent a major scientific, industrial and economic opportunity. The NVDIAG Labcom, born from a collaboration between CNRS/Aix-Marseille Université (LISM) and BioCytex (Stago Group), is developing nanobodies (VHH) targeting CD38, designed to improve the in vitro diagnosis of haematological diseases, particularly multiple myeloma. This initiative illustrates the French model of public-private valorisation and meets the expectations of technology transfer and valorisation stakeholders, as well as venture capital investors specialised in biotechnologies.

Read the full article (French version)

 

 

New Publication

Extracellular Vesicles: A Revolution in Membrane Protein Targeting

New data published by the Laboratory of Macromolecular Systems Engineering (LISM) and the Paris Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences (iEES-Paris) validate a unique expertise in generating nanobodies (VHH) against complex membrane targets.

A Collaboration of Excellence Driving Innovation

A major study, published in 2026 in the Journal of Extracellular Biology, validates a unique expertise and know-how for generating nanobodies from extracellular vesicles—a technology at the heart of the LabCom NVDIAG’s activities. This work is the result of a synergy between LISM (CNRS / Aix-Marseille University) and iEES-Paris (INRAE / Sorbonne University / CNRS / IRD / UPEC / Université Paris Cité). The project was coordinated by Alain Roussel (LISM) and Josiane Kassis-Sahyoun (LISM/iEES-Paris), in collaboration with Emmanuelle Jacquin-Joly (iEES-Paris).

The Scientific Challenge: « Taming » Membrane Proteins

Membrane proteins are key targets in modern medicine and biology, but their natural hydrophobicity makes them extremely challenging to study. To overcome this obstacle, researchers use extracellular vesicles (EVs) as biological « display platforms. » Expressing the target protein directly on the surface of these lipid bubbles preserves its natural structure, offering a decisive advantage: target preparation in just one week, with optimal stability and native conformation.

A Biocontrol Objective: Disrupting Pest Reproduction

In this study, the target protein is SNMP1, a key receptor involved in the detection of sex pheromones in the pest insect Spodoptera littoralis. The goal is to develop nanobodies capable of blocking this receptor to disrupt chemical communication between insects. By preventing mating, this approach offers an innovative and environmentally friendly biocontrol strategy to limit the reproduction of pest populations in agriculture.

Technological Innovation: The « Multi-Layer » Strategy

The major contribution of this work lies in the development of a multi-layer anchoring strategy. By co-expressing a universal anchor protein (ALFA-ACE2) with the target, EVs can be easily immobilized on various surfaces such as ELISA plates or biosensors. This method enabled the isolation of nano-antibodies with exceptional nanomolar affinity (down to 0.617 nM), characterized using cutting-edge Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI) technology.

Experimental Validation for Future NVDIAG LabCom Developments

While demonstrated on an insect receptor, this technology drives NVDIAG’s human health program:

  • Reliability: EVs provide a native environment under physiological membrane conditions, unlike detergents and other biochemical techniques used for extracting and stabilizing membrane proteins.
  • Guaranteed Specificity: The multi-layer technology ensures specific anchoring and secures the selection of nanobodies against original epitopes.
  • Universal Platform: The approach is currently being validated for a wide range of human therapeutic and diagnostic targets.

This work was supported by the French National Research Agency (ANR) (projects ANR-20-CE20-0003-01 & 02) and benefited from the infrastructure of the Laboratory of Architecture and Function of Biological Macromolecules (AFMB) and the French Infrastructure for Integrated Structural Biology (FRISBI).

 

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Les Vésicules Extracellulaires, une révolution pour le ciblage des protéines Membranaires

De nouvelles données publiées par le Laboratoire d’Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM) et l’Institut d’écologie et des sciences de l’environnement de Paris (IEES-Paris) valide un savoir-faire unique pour la génération de nano-anticorps (VHH) contre des cibles membranaires complexes.

Une collaboration d’excellence au service de l’innovation

Une étude publiée en 2026 dans Journal of Extracellular Biology, valide un savoir-faire et une expertise uniques pour la génération de nano-anticorps à partir de vésicules extracellulaires, une technologie au cœur de l’activité du LabCom NVDIAG. Fruit d’une synergie entre le LISM (CNRS / Aix-Marseille Université) et l’iEES-Paris (INRAE / Sorbonne Université / CNRS / IRD / UPEC / Université Paris Cité), ce travail a été coordonné par Alain Roussel (LISM) et Josiane Kassis-Sahyoun (LISM/iEES-Paris), en collaboration avec Emmanuelle Jacquin-Joly (iEES-Paris).

Le défi scientifique : « apprivoiser » les protéines membranaires

Les protéines membranaires sont les cibles prioritaires de la médecine et de la biologie moderne, mais leur hydrophobie naturelle rend leur étude extrêmement complexe. Pour franchir cet obstacle, les chercheurs utilisent les vésicules extracellulaires (EVs) comme « présentoirs » biologiques. L’expression de la protéine cible directement à la surface de ces bulles lipidiques, permet de préserver la structure naturelle, offrant un avantage décisif : une préparation de cible en une semaine seulement, avec une stabilité et une conformité native optimales.

Un objectif de biocontrôle : perturber la reproduction des ravageurs

Dans ce travail, la cible choisie est la protéine SNMP1, un récepteur clé impliqué dans la détection des phéromones sexuelles chez l’insecte ravageur Spodoptera littoralis. L’objectif est de développer des nano-anticorps capables de bloquer ce récepteur pour perturber la communication chimique entre les insectes. En empêchant ainsi l’accouplement, cette approche offre une stratégie de biocontrôle innovante et respectueuse de l’environnement pour limiter la reproduction des populations de nuisibles en agriculture.

L’innovation technologique : la stratégie « multi-couches »

L’apport majeur de ce travail réside dans le développement d’une stratégie d’ancrage multi-couches. En co-exprimant une protéine d’ancrage universelle (ALFA-ACE2) avec la cible, les EVs peuvent être immobilisées simplement sur différentes surfaces comme des plaques ELISA ou des biosensors. Cette méthode a permis d’isoler des nano-anticorps dotés d’une affinité nanomolaire exceptionnelle (jusqu’à 0,617 nM), caractérisée par la technologie de pointe Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI)

Validation expérimentale pour les futurs développement du LabCom NVDIAG

Bien que démontrée sur un récepteur d’insecte, cette technologie est le moteur du programme de santé humaine de NVDIAG :

  • Fiabilité : les EVs garantissent un environnement natif, dans les conditions physiologiques de la membrane plasmique contrairement aux détergents et autres techniques biochimiques permettant l’extraction et la stabilisation des protéines membranaires

  • Spécificité garantie : L’utilisation de la technologie multi-couches permet un ancrage spécifique et sécurise la sélection de nano-anticorps contre des épitopes originaux

  • Plateforme universelle : L’approche est en cours de validation pour une vaste gamme de cibles thérapeutiques et diagnostiques humaines.

Ce travail a été soutenu par l’Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) (projets ANR-20-CE20-0003-01 & 02) et a bénéficié des infrastructures du laboratoire d’Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques (AFMB) et French Infrastructure for Integrated Structural Biology (FRISBI)

Photo crédit : Natasha Wright, Braman Termite & Pest Elimination via Bugwood.org

 

NVDIAG at the CEEVEC Matching Day 2

NVDIAG at the Heart of Extracellular Vesicle Research

On March 26, 2026, the NVDIAG LabCom team was proud to participate in the Matching Day #2 of the CEEVEC Action, organized by Cancéropôle PACA at the Palais du Pharo in Marseille. This landmark scientific event brought together the regional extracellular vesicle (EV) community around three key themes: oncology, therapeutics, and technological innovation.

NVDIAG was represented by Alain Roussel and Clara Bouyx (LISM, CNRS-UMR 7255), alongside the lab’s young researchers, who presented the latest advances from our collaborative projects with BioCytex.

Oral communication – Alain Roussel

Characterization of antibody/membrane antigen interactions on extracellular vesicles by Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI) using the Octet R8e Cassandre Vedel, Cléa Vessière, Laura Fradale, Clara Bouyx & Alain Roussel – LISM-CNRS, Marseille

Most cell surface markers are membrane proteins (MPs) whose study in vitro is typically approached through soluble extracellular domains or detergent extraction — both methods that disrupt native conformation and lipid environment. Extracellular vesicles offer a compelling alternative by preserving membrane proteins in a near-physiological context.

Within the NVDIAG LabCom framework, EVs displaying MPs of interest are used to immunize llamas and generate nanobodies. A key technical challenge was the large size mismatch between EVs (~100 nm, several million Da) and the nanobodies they interact with (~15 kDa) — a difference that had previously limited characterization by Bio-Layer Interferometry. The significantly improved sensitivity of the new Octet® R8e instrument now makes it possible to overcome this barrier and measure antibody/antigen interactions directly on EV surfaces. Results across several NVDIAG projects were presented and discussed.

Poster Presentations

Poster 1 – Ilona Testa et al. Development of nanobodies targeting the CD19–CD81 complex using extracellular vesicles

Ilona Testa presented a strategy to generate nanobodies against CD19 in its native membrane conformation using EVs displaying the CD19–CD81 complex, produced from transfected HEK293 cells. One nanobody clone (NVD82) was identified with nanomolar affinity (KD = 2.5 nM), targeting the immunodominant CD19 epitope shared with current therapeutic antibodies such as CAR-T and BiTE agents — positioning it as a key reference tool for epitope masking assays and alternative CD19-targeting strategies in B-cell malignancies.

Poster 2 – Émilie Louat et al. Innovative extracellular vesicle platform displaying GPCRs for nanobody generation

Émilie Louat presented NVDIAG’s EV-based platform applied to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), a pharmacologically privileged but notoriously difficult-to-handle class of targets. Using the GLP-1R receptor as a proof of concept, EVs were used to immunize llamas and select nanobodies that recognize the receptor’s native conformation with higher affinity than commercial antibodies — opening new avenues for pancreatic cancer diagnostics and targeted therapies. The approach is now being extended to the Adenosine A2A receptor (AA2A), an immune checkpoint of high oncological interest.

Poster 3 – Zoé Jobert et al. Engineering extracellular vesicles for platelet GPIb-IX complex expression: towards novel diagnostic tools for Bernard-Soulier syndrome

Zoé Jobert presented an optimized strategy for expressing the native GPIb-IX heterotetrameric complex at the surface of engineered EVs, with the goal of developing new diagnostic and research tools for Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS), a rare inherited platelet disorder. Truncation of the intracellular domain of GPIbα (construct NVD067) was identified as the key optimization enabling functional surface expression on HEK Expi293-derived EVs, validated by Western blot and flow cytometry. These EVs serve as versatile platforms for both next-generation nanobody production and structural analysis by electron microscopy.

🔗 Matching Day #2 CEEVEC – Cancéropôle PACA

Supported by: ANR · CNRS · Aix-Marseille Université · Région Sud · BioCytex

LISM, CNRS-UMR 7255
31 chemin Joseph Aiguier – CS 70071
13402 Marseille Cedex 09, France

+33(0)4 91 16 41 24
www.nvdiag-labcom.fr
contact@nvdiag-labcom.fr