The Inflammation Research Center brings together approximately 330 researchers, lecturer-researchers, university hospital staff, technical staff (ITA), doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, and interns with the goal of establishing a Center of Excellence in France that links basic research with translational and clinical research in diseases inflammatory diseases.

The CRI hosts 14 teams and two junior groups accredited by INSERM, the University Paris Cité, and CNRS and collaborates closely with the APHP to ensure an applied approach to research.

The CRI is a major player in the Infibrex laboratory of excellence, coordinated by B. Crestani, the Unity DHU (directed by D. Valla), and the Fire DHU (co-coordinated by B. Crestani, G. Steg, and E. Daugas).

Organigramme-CRI-2025

The Center provides researchers and engineers from around the world with seven scientific platforms and five technical facilities, and also offers services in the fields of proteomics, recombinant protein engineering, electron microscopy, biochemistry, and small animal imaging.

The Center’s activities are conducted primarily on the Bichat Hospital campus, within Paris Cité University. The Beaujon and Robert Debré sites complete the CRI’s premises, which currently cover over 4,000 m².

The CRI’s objectives are:

  • To understand at a fundamental level the bases of inflammatory processes and the development of fibrosis
  • To identify new pathophysiological mechanisms of inflammatory diseases
  • To identify biomarkers associated with the diseases and develop new imaging tools
  • To create new preclinical animal models enabling proof of concept (POC) for the study of inflammatory diseases
  • To research new therapeutic approaches.

The CRI is organized into three scientific areas:

 

CRI Bodies

Center Council

The Center Council discusses and decides on all aspects of the Center’s overall scientific strategy, organization, and internal operations.

It examines any proposal to welcome new teams and any large-scale internal restructuring of the teams.

It includes the Director, the Deputy Director, the Secretary General, and The head(s) of each research team. All staff are represented by elected officials from different categories:

More information on the centre council

 

Doctoral Student Support Committee (CAD)

Headed by Gregory Gautier, the Doctoral Student Support Committee supports and listens to young CRI researchers during their thesis period.

More information on the Doctoral Student Support Committee

 

Representatives of PhD Student Representatives

Doctoral student representatives play a crucial role by acting as spokespersons and representing the interests of doctoral students on center councils. Their main mission is to represent the expectations, needs, and perspectives of doctoral students during discussions and decision-making within these bodies. As mediators between doctoral students and management, they ensure that their voices are heard and taken into account.

More information on doctoral student representatives

 

Mediation and Quality of Life Committee at the CRI (CMQVC)

The CRI has established a Mediation and Quality of Life at Work Committee (CMQVC) to support its staff on issues of ethics, scientific integrity, equality, disability, psychosocial risks, and well-being at work. This committee, composed of volunteer members from different staff categories, acts collegially, independently, and strictly confidentially. It can be contacted at any time by anyone working at the CRI. Its members are trained in listening, mediation, and the prevention of situations of suffering at work. The committee meets at least twice a year and may include external experts depending on the situation. It plays a role of support, advice, and prevention, while contributing to the continuous improvement of working conditions. It also ensures that diversity is taken into account and that all forms of discrimination are combated, within a caring and respectful environment.

More information on the Mediation and Quality of Life Committee at the CRI (CMQVC)

 

Sustainable Development

In accordance with the reform of the new Civil Service Act, volunteer sustainable development officers have been appointed within the CRI. These officers will be responsible for proposing and leading actions aimed at reducing the Center’s carbon footprint and promoting sustainable development.

More information on sustainable development at CRI