Dr. Lois Miraucourt

Research Associate

lois.miraucourt@mcgill.ca

Dr. Lois Miraucourt was born in France, did a BSc degree in cellular biology (University of Bordeaux1, 2001), and moved abroad for one year of ERASMUS exchange to study gene expression of vaccinia virus in the laboratory of Dr H. Rokita, at the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Institute of the Jagiellonian University (Krakow, Poland 2002). Back to France, he obtained a master degree in Neurosciences, Behavior, Cognition (University of Toulouse3, 2003), and completed a PhD program on the neurobiological mechanisms of neuropathic pain under the supervision of Pr. Daniel Voisin (University of Clermont1, 2006). Lois there developed his interest on studying the role of inhibitory circuits and glial cells in central nervous system sensory relays, with behavioral and cellular approaches. During two postdoctoral trainings, he further developed expertise in laser-based microscopy. In the laboratory of Stéphane Oliet at the Neurocentre Magendie (University Bordeaux2), he studied the role of astrocytic D-serine in mediating pathological pain in a rat model of bone cancer (2006-2008). He then joined the laboratory of Ed Ruthazer at Montréal Neurological Institute (McGill University) to study the role of neuronal inhibition in the visual relays of the Xenopus tadpole, and skilled in doing 2-photon microscopy using genetically-encoded fluorescent reporters, to image in-vivo the cellular fluctuations of chloride and calcium ions (2008-2014). Lois 'interest is now focused on the study of cerebellar circuits, to decipher the role of inhibition in shaping cerebellar output to brain, using electrophysiology combined to 2-photon imaging.

Scholarships and Awards

2014

Weston Brain Institute. LOI selected for the Rapid Response Program Neurodegenerative Diseases of Aging (150,000$ for 18 months). Final decision: rejected for a lack of translationality.

2012

Postdoctoral Fellowship. Epilepsy Canada Postdoctoral Research Award, 38,000 CAD for 1 year. Epilepsy Canada has awarded three (3) fellowships for all Canada in 2012.

2011

Postdoctoral Fellowship. Epilepsy Canada Postdoctoral Research Award, 30,000 CAD for 1 year. Epilepsy Canada has awarded one (1) fellowship for all Canada in 2011.

2009

Postdoctoral Fellowship. Centre of Excellence in Commercialization and Research Fellowship, 80,000 CAD for 2 years.

2006

ATER salary. École Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Paris, Attaché Temporaire d'Enseignement et de Recherche, 45000 CAD for 2 years.

2003

Ph.D. Fellowship. Allocation de Recherche du Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur, 75,000 CAD for 3 years.

2008

Student travel grant de la société des neurosciences Suisse (FENS 2008), 750 CAD

2008

Student travel grant » TEBU BIO (France), (FENS 2008), 750 CAD

2006

1er prix du poster, Journée de la Recherche d'Auvergne, 750 CAD

2005

1er prix du poster de neuroanatomie du 7ième congrès des Neurosciences Francaises, 750 CAD

Publications

Miraucourt, L.S., Tsui, J., Desjardins, J.F., Gobert, D., Schol, A., Spratt, P., Castonguay, A., De Koninck, Marsh-Armsstrong, N., Wiseman, P.W., Y., Ruthazer, E.S. Endocannabinoid signaling enhances visual responses through modulation of intracellular chloride levels in retinal ganglion cells. Nature Neuroscience, in revision.

Wu J., Abdelfattah A.S., Miraucourt L.S., Kutsarova E., Ruangkittisakul A., Zhou H., Ballanyi K., Wicks G., Drobizhev M., Rebane A., Ruthazer E.S., and Campbell R.E. A long Stokes shift red fluorescent protein Ca2+ indicator for 2-photon and ratiometric imaging. Nature Communications (2014).

Desjardins, J.F., Miraucourt, L.S., Wiseman, P.W., Ruthazer, E.S. Semi-Automated Imaje analysis of Xenopus Laevis Behavioral Response to Visual Stimuli. (2013) Biophysical Journal 01/2013; 104(2):511-. DOI:10.1016/j.bpj.2012.11.2824.

Ducourneau, V.R., Dolique, T., Hachem-Delaunay, S., Miraucourt, L.S., Amadio, A., Blaszczyk, L., Ly, J., Devoize, L., Oliet, S.H., Dallel, R., Mothet, J-P., Nagy, F., Fénelon, V.S., Voisin, D.L. Cancer pain is not necessarily correlated to spinal overexpression of reactive glia markers. (2013) PAIN, Oct 11. pii: S0304-3959(13)00547-2. 4

Miraucourt, L.S., Santos Da Sliva, J., Burgos, K., Li, J., Abe, H., Ruthazer, E.S., Cline, H.T. (2012) GABA Expression And Regulation By Sensory Experience In The Developing Visual System. PLoS One, Jan 2012 7(1): e29086.

Miraucourt, L.S., Peirs, C., Dallel, R. & Voisin, D.L. (2011) Glycine inhibitory Dysfunction Turns Touch Into Pain Through Astrocyte-derived D-serine. Pain, Jun 2011; 152(6):1340-8.

Miraucourt, L.S., Moisset, X., Dallel, R. & Voisin, D.L. (2009) Glycine inhibitory Dysfunction Induces a Selectively Dynamic, Morphine Resistant and NK1-receptor Independent Mechanical Allodynia. Journal of Neuroscience, Feb 25; 29(8):2519-27

Coste, J., Voisin, D.L., Miraucourt, L.S., Dallel, R. & Luccarini, P. (2008) Dorsal horn NK1-expressing neurons control windup of downstream trigeminal nociceptive neurons. PAIN, Jul 15;137: 340-351.

Miraucourt, L.S., Dallel, R. & Voisin, D.L. (2007) Glycine inhibitory dysfunction turns touch into pain through PKCgamma interneurons. PLoS ONE, Nov 7;2(11):e1116.