A “brain” gets 2.3 million euros to work on that of others

He has a smile, Stéphane Bugeon. And for good reason: the support he has just obtained from the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation allows him to see the future with peace of mind. For five years, the Marseillais will be able to continue his research on the brain without getting into knots. The private funding of 2.3 million euros will allow it to invest in cutting-edge equipment. We’re talking about devices that cost a whopping 500,000 euros for one, 200,000 euros for the other. “We’re going to amortize them, we’re going to use them for years.”. But also to recruit a team. “I will be able to hire three people at different career stages: a technician, a thesis student and a post-doctoral researcher. That’s a big item of expense. Basically, the endowment will allow me to create my own team.” In short, an opportunity in a rather uncertain budgetary context in terms of public research. Stéphane Bugeon was originally selected during the European Research Council (ERC) calls for projects in 2023 but did not obtain this funding despite the quality of the project. It is therefore the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation and its program Impulscience who gave him an opportunity.

Different types of neurons

Inserm research fellow at the Mediterranean Neurobiology Institute (Inmed), a joint Inserm – Aix-Marseille University structure, the 34-year-old scientist specializes in the study of different categories of neurons. More specifically, he questions the adaptation of the brain’s responses to visual, auditory, or touch stimuli. “There are many types of neurons. I’m basically trying to define what the functions of the different categories are. Because although we have known for a century that there are several types, we still have great difficulty understanding their specific roles.“.