The Fondation ARC presented the Premier Prix Kerner 2026 to Marianna Plozza during its Young Researchers Days. This award recognizes young scientists for their ability to present their research to a broad audience, following selection by a jury of media professionals.
Marianna Plozza, who recently defended her doctoral thesis at IPBS, conducted her research within the teams 'Integrins in immune cells' and 'Phagocyte architecture and dynamics,' under the supervision of Drs. Frédéric Lagarrigue and Christel Vérollet. Her fourth year of doctoral studies was funded by the Fondation ARC.
Her thesis focused on the formation and function of osteoclasts, the cells that degrade bone, and their role in cancer-related bone loss. Using genetically modified myeloid cells and mouse models, she studied how Talin 1, a key activator of integrins, controls osteoclast fusion and bone resorption. Her findings showed that different pathways activating Talin 1 play distinct roles in osteoclasts, including the proteins Lamellipodine and RIAM, as well as the direct interaction between Rap1 and Talin 1.
These results help to understand how to more selectively target osteoclast activity in diseases marked by excessive bone destruction, such as bone metastases and multiple myeloma.
