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2025‌Activity reportProject-TeamEPIMETHEE‌​‌

RNSR: 202324452H
  • Research center​​ Inria Paris Centre
  • In​​​‌ partnership with:Institut Pasteur,‌ CNRS
  • Team name: Experimental‌​‌ and computational approaches to​​ probe the mind of​​​‌ insects

Creation of the‌ Project-Team: 2023 October 01‌​‌

Each year, Inria research​​ teams publish an Activity​​​‌ Report presenting their work‌ and results over the‌​‌ reporting period. These reports​​ follow a common structure,​​​‌ with some optional sections‌ depending on the specific‌​‌ team. They typically begin​​ by outlining the overall​​​‌ objectives and research programme,‌ including the main research‌​‌ themes, goals, and methodological​​ approaches. They also describe​​​‌ the application domains targeted‌ by the team, highlighting‌​‌ the scientific or societal​​ contexts in which their​​​‌ work is situated.

The‌ reports then present the‌​‌ highlights of the year,​​ covering major scientific achievements,​​​‌ software developments, or teaching‌ contributions. When relevant, they‌​‌ include sections on software,​​ platforms, and open data,​​​‌ detailing the tools developed‌ and how they are‌​‌ shared. A substantial part​​ is dedicated to new​​​‌ results, where scientific contributions‌ are described in detail,‌​‌ often with subsections specifying​​ participants and associated keywords.​​​‌

Finally, the Activity Report‌ addresses funding, contracts, partnerships,‌​‌ and collaborations at various​​ levels, from industrial agreements​​​‌ to international cooperations. It‌ also covers dissemination and‌​‌ teaching activities, such as​​ participation in scientific events,​​​‌ outreach, and supervision. The‌ document concludes with a‌​‌ presentation of scientific production,​​ including major publications and​​​‌ those produced during the‌ year.

Keywords

Computer Science‌​‌ and Digital Science

  • A3.4.​​ Machine learning and statistics​​​‌
  • A5.2. Data visualization
  • A5.3.‌ Image processing and analysis‌​‌
  • A5.6. Virtual reality, augmented​​​‌ reality
  • A6.1. Methods in​ mathematical modeling
  • A6.5. Mathematical​‌ modeling for physical sciences​​
  • A9.3. Signal processing
  • A9.7.​​​‌ AI algorithmics
  • A9.11. Generative​ AI
  • A9.13. Agentic AI​‌

Other Research Topics and​​ Application Domains

  • B1. Life​​​‌ sciences
  • B1.1. Biology
  • B1.2.​ Neuroscience and cognitive science​‌
  • B2. Digital health
  • B5.10.​​ Biotechnology

1 Team members,​​​‌ visitors, external collaborators

Research​ Scientists

  • Jean-Baptiste Masson [​‌Team leader, INSTITUT​​ PASTEUR, Researcher]​​​‌
  • Alex Barbier–Chebbah [Inria​, ISFP, from​‌ Oct 2025]
  • Francois​​ Laurent [INSTITUT PASTEUR​​​‌, Senior Researcher]​
  • Christian Vestergaard [CNRS​‌, Senior Researcher]​​

Post-Doctoral Fellow

  • fleur gaudferneau​​​‌ [institut pasteur]​

PhD Students

  • Astrid Nilsson​‌ [INSTITUT PASTEUR]​​
  • Iwan Quemada [INSTITUT​​​‌ PASTEUR]
  • eleonore bouchereau​ [INSERM]
  • Paul​‌ hellegouarch [institut pasteur​​]
  • heloise prevot [​​​‌cnrs]

Technical Staff​

  • erwan celaniw [cnrs​‌, Engineer]
  • clement​​ vorms [institut pasteur​​​‌, Engineer]

Administrative​ Assistants

  • Frederique Bouchot [​‌INSTITUT PASTEUR, from​​ Jun 2025]
  • Martial​​​‌ Le Henaff [INRIA​]
  • Nelly Maloisel [​‌INRIA]

2 Overall​​ objectives

The objective of​​​‌ the Épiméthée laboratory is​ to explore and understand​‌ the organizing principles of​​ biological information processing, particularly​​​‌ focusing on how evolution​ shapes efficient neural networks​‌ in insects to process​​ complex sensory signals and​​​‌ generate behaviors. By combining​ physical modeling, Bayesian inference,​‌ numerical simulations, information theory,​​ and biological experiments, the​​​‌ laboratory aims to decipher​ the relationship between biophysical​‌ constraints and neural architectures.​​ This interdisciplinary approach seeks​​​‌ to develop mathematical and​ software frameworks for artificial​‌ biological information processing, ultimately​​ contributing to advancements in​​​‌ computational neuroscience, embodied neuroAI,​ and the characterization of​‌ neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases​​ at the circuit level.​​​‌

3 Research program

Our​ research is structured around​‌ three primary initiatives and​​ a central application, all​​​‌ aimed at understanding the​ neural mechanisms underlying decision-making​‌ and behavior in insects,​​ particularly Drosophila larvae. The​​​‌ initiatives include graph approaches​ to neural connectomes, physical​‌ constraints on behavior, and​​ embodied neuroAI, with a​​​‌ main application focused on​ neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases.​‌

Graph Approaches to Neural​​ Connectomes

This initiative focuses​​​‌ on exploring generative approaches​ to analyze and model​‌ neural connectomes, leveraging advances​​ in electron and light​​​‌ microscopy. The research aims​ to characterize neural connectomes​‌ at the mesoscopic scale,​​ identifying statistically significant motifs​​​‌ and understanding their functional​ roles. By employing lossless​‌ graph compression and generative​​ latent-space modeling, the laboratory​​​‌ seeks to uncover the​ topological features and spatial​‌ embedding of neural networks,​​ which are crucial for​​​‌ understanding their function and​ evolution.

Physical Constraints on​‌ Behavior

The second initiative​​ investigates how physical constraints​​​‌ influence the behavior and​ neural architecture of Drosophila​‌ larvae. By modeling larval​​ movements at multiple scales​​​‌ and characterizing the physical​ constraints associated with motion​‌ strategies, the research aims​​ to understand the link​​​‌ between neural architecture and​ embodiment. This involves developing​‌ a framework for modeling,​​ estimation of local and​​​‌ non-local constraints, and capturing​ the subtle physical characteristics​‌ of the larva to​​ understand its interaction with​​ the environment.

Embodied NeuroAI​​​‌

The embodied neuroAI initiative‌ integrates the findings from‌​‌ the previous two initiatives​​ to explore the role​​​‌ of embodiment in structuring‌ the larval nervous system.‌​‌ The research seeks to​​ simulate and characterize identified​​​‌ neural circuits, infer evolutionary‌ changes in decision circuits,‌​‌ and evolve neural networks​​ in simulated physics environments.​​​‌ By leveraging physical models‌ of larvae and simulations‌​‌ of sensory environments, the​​ laboratory aims to optimize​​​‌ circuit architecture and explore‌ the diversity of neural‌​‌ architectures that can implement​​ biological decisions.

The methodological​​​‌ core of the research‌ program includes amortized inferences‌​‌ and simulations, statistical properties​​ of graphs, and approximating​​​‌ decision-making. These methodologies are‌ essential for developing the‌​‌ simulation-based inference models, graph​​ analysis techniques, and decision-making​​​‌ frameworks that underpin the‌ laboratory's research initiatives.

Software‌​‌ Development

The laboratory is​​ also committed to developing​​​‌ software platforms, such as‌ Nyx and Eurynomé, to‌​‌ support data processing, simulation,​​ and analysis of larval​​​‌ experiments. These platforms will‌ facilitate the integration of‌​‌ experimental data with neural​​ activity models, enabling the​​​‌ study of the relationship‌ between physical constraints and‌​‌ neural architecture.

4 Application​​ domains

The lab's research​​​‌ has broad application domains,‌ spanning computational neuroscience, artificial‌​‌ intelligence, and biomedical research.​​ By focusing on the​​​‌ neural mechanisms of insects,‌ particularly Drosophila larvae, the‌​‌ laboratory aims to uncover​​ fundamental principles of neural​​​‌ information processing that can‌ inform the development of‌​‌ advanced AI systems and​​ neurotechnologies. The laboratory's work​​​‌ in graph approaches to‌ neural connectomes provides insights‌​‌ into the structural and​​ functional organization of neural​​​‌ networks, which can be‌ applied to improve machine‌​‌ learning algorithms and neural​​ network designs. Additionally, the​​​‌ study of physical constraints‌ on behavior offers valuable‌​‌ knowledge for robotics and​​ autonomous systems, where understanding​​​‌ the interplay between physical‌ embodiment and neural control‌​‌ is crucial for developing​​ efficient and adaptive machines.​​​‌ The embodied neuroAI initiative‌ further explores these concepts‌​‌ by integrating biological principles​​ into AI, potentially leading​​​‌ to more robust and‌ biologically plausible AI models.‌​‌ Moreover, the laboratory's focus​​ on neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory​​​‌ diseases at the circuit‌ level has significant implications‌​‌ for medical research, offering​​ new perspectives on disease​​​‌ mechanisms and potential therapeutic‌ strategies. By leveraging the‌​‌ genetic tools available in​​ Drosophila, the laboratory can​​​‌ model and study these‌ diseases in ways that‌​‌ are not feasible with​​ traditional mammalian models, potentially​​​‌ accelerating the discovery of‌ new treatments.

5 Social‌​‌ and environmental responsibility

5.1​​ Footprint of research activities​​​‌

The Épiméthée laboratory is‌ committed to minimizing the‌​‌ environmental impact of its​​ research activities. By focusing​​​‌ on Drosophila larvae as‌ a model organism, the‌​‌ laboratory reduces the need​​ for larger, more resource-intensive​​​‌ animal models. This approach‌ not only aligns with‌​‌ ethical considerations in animal​​ research but also lowers​​​‌ the carbon footprint associated‌ with maintaining and experimenting‌​‌ on larger animals. Additionally,​​ the laboratory employs computational​​​‌ and simulation-based methods, which‌ are inherently less resource-intensive‌​‌ compared to traditional wet-lab​​ experiments.

5.2 Impact of​​​‌ research results

By advancing‌ our understanding of neural‌​‌ information processing in insects,​​​‌ the laboratory contributes to​ the development of more​‌ efficient and biologically plausible​​ AI systems. These advancements​​​‌ can lead to innovations​ in robotics and autonomous​‌ systems, enhancing their ability​​ to operate in complex​​​‌ environments with minimal energy​ consumption.

Furthermore, the laboratory's​‌ focus on neurodegenerative and​​ neuroinflammatory diseases offers promising​​​‌ avenues for medical research.​ By providing insights into​‌ disease mechanisms at the​​ circuit level, the research​​​‌ may accelerate the development​ of targeted therapies, potentially​‌ reducing the societal burden​​ of these diseases. Additionally,​​​‌ the laboratory's commitment to​ open-source software development and​‌ collaboration fosters a broader​​ impact on the scientific​​​‌ community, promoting the sharing​ of knowledge and resources​‌ to drive collective progress​​ in neuroscience and AI.​​​‌

6 Highlights of the​ year

6.1 Awards

Innovator​‌ price Le Point (2025)​​

7 Latest software developments,​​​‌ platforms, open data

7.1​ Latest software developments

7.1.1​‌ nyx

  • Name:
    Nyx
  • Keywords:​​
    3D, Finite element modelling,​​​‌ Machine learning, Ethology, Unsupervised​ learning, Statistical inference, Bayesian​‌ estimation
  • Functional Description:
    Nyx​​ uses : -> Larva​​​‌ Tagger to generate classifiers​ of larva behaviour and​‌ annotate data -> a​​ SOFA based finite element​​​‌ simulation framework of the​ body including muscle ->​‌ a CNS simulation framework​​ based on the larva​​​‌ neural connectome
  • Contact:
    Francois​ Laurent

7.2 New platforms​‌

Participants: Christian Vestergaard,​​ Francois Laurent, Alex​​​‌ Barbier–CHebbah, JB Masson​.

The larva Hub​‌ is associated to the​​ PIQ INRIA Larvatech and​​​‌ propose a full cloud​ based platform for drosophila​‌ larva behaviour, neural computation​​ and physical motion analysis.​​​‌

7.3 Open data

8​ New results

8.1 Insects​‌ decline

Participants: JB Masson​​, Francois Laurent.​​​‌

Lautaro Gandara et al.​ ,Pervasive sublethal effects of​‌ agrochemicals on insects at​​ environmentally relevant concentrations.Science386,446-453(2024).DOI:10.1126/science.ado0251

Summary​​​‌

Our paper investigates the​ sublethal effects of agrochemicals​‌ on insects, focusing on​​ how low doses of​​​‌ pesticides impact the behavior​ and physiology of Drosophila​‌ melanogaster larvae. Using a​​ comprehensive library of 1024​​​‌ agrochemicals, the study reveals​ that a significant proportion​‌ of these chemicals, even​​ at environmentally relevant concentrations,​​​‌ alter larval behavior and​ compromise long-term survivability. The​‌ research highlights that sublethal​​ doses induce widespread changes​​​‌ in the phosphoproteome and​ affect development and reproduction,​‌ with these effects being​​ amplified at higher temperatures.​​​‌ The findings suggest that​ sublethal pesticide exposure may​‌ contribute to the global​​ decline in insect populations,​​​‌ emphasizing the need for​ more comprehensive chemical safety​‌ assessments.

Our achievements include​​ the development of a​​​‌ high-throughput screening platform to​ assess the impact of​‌ a wide range of​​ pesticides on insect behavior​​​‌ and physiology. By demonstrating​ that even non-insecticide pesticides​‌ can have significant effects​​ on larval survivability and​​​‌ behavior, the research underscores​ the importance of considering​‌ sublethal effects in pesticide​​ regulation. The work also​​​‌ extends its findings to​ other insect species, such​‌ as mosquitoes and butterflies,​​ indicating the broad relevance​​​‌ of these effects across​ different ecological contexts. This​‌ research provides valuable insights​​ for improving the precision​​​‌ of agrochemical use and​ mitigating their unintended consequences​‌ on insect biodiversity.

8.2​​ statistical testing

Participants: JB​​ Masson, Francois Laurent​​​‌, Alexandre Blanc,‌ Chloe Barre, Alexis‌​‌ benichou, Christian Vestergaard​​.

We have developed​​​‌ a suite of statistical‌ methods to detect subtle‌​‌ behavioral changes in Drosophila​​ melanogaster larvae in response​​​‌ to neural manipulation. Understanding‌ how the nervous system‌​‌ generates behavior remains a​​ fundamental challenge in neuroscience,​​​‌ but existing approaches often‌ miss subtle behavioral modulations‌​‌ that may have significant​​ biological implications. We addressed​​​‌ this gap by analyzing‌ an unprecedented dataset of‌​‌ over 280,000 larvae across​​ 569 genetic lines, focusing​​​‌ specifically on responses to‌ air-puff stimuli. Our approach‌​‌ integrates multiple timescales of​​ behavioral dynamics with advanced​​​‌ statistical techniques to identify‌ neurons that induce subtle‌​‌ but significant behavioral changes.​​

Our methodological innovations include​​​‌ four major components: a‌ physics-informed Bayesian approach that‌​‌ regularizes larval shape inference​​ across the entire dataset;​​​‌ an unsupervised kernel-based method‌ for statistical testing in‌​‌ learned behavioral spaces to​​ detect subtle deviations in​​​‌ behavior; a generative model‌ for larval behavioral sequences‌​‌ that serves as a​​ benchmark for identifying higher-order​​​‌ behavioral changes; and a‌ comprehensive analysis technique using‌​‌ suffix trees to categorize​​ genetic lines into clusters​​​‌ based on common action‌ sequences. These approaches have‌​‌ significantly expanded our catalog​​ of "hit" neurons beyond​​​‌ those previously identified through‌ conventional methods. Notably, we‌​‌ discovered neurons that modulate​​ behavioral responses to different​​​‌ stimulus intensities and others‌ that influence higher-order sequence‌​‌ structure without changing individual​​ action probabilities. These findings​​​‌ advance our understanding of‌ the neural mechanisms underlying‌​‌ behavior generation and decision-making,​​ demonstrating the power of​​​‌ sophisticated statistical approaches in‌ revealing subtle but important‌​‌ biological phenomena

8.3 Behavioural​​ choices

Participants: JB Masson​​​‌, Francois Laurent,‌ Alexandre Blanc, Chloe‌​‌ Barre, Alexis benichou​​, Christian Vestergaard.​​​‌

In our recent study,‌ we delved into the‌​‌ intricate neural mechanisms that​​ underlie the adaptive defensive​​​‌ behaviors in Drosophila larvae,‌ focusing on how these‌​‌ organisms respond to various​​ threatening stimuli in their​​​‌ environment. Our approach combined‌ advanced techniques such as‌​‌ neuronal manipulations, machine learning-based​​ behavioral detection, electron microscopy​​​‌ (EM) connectomics, and calcium‌ imaging to map the‌​‌ specific neural circuits involved​​ in these behaviors. By​​​‌ leveraging the genetic tractability‌ of Drosophila and its‌​‌ well-characterized nervous system, we​​ aimed to uncover how​​​‌ second-order interneurons differentially influence‌ the competition between startle‌​‌ and escape behaviors in​​ response to aversive cues.​​​‌ This research not only‌ sheds light on the‌​‌ fundamental principles of neural​​ circuit function but also​​​‌ provides insights into how‌ context-dependent modulation of behavioral‌​‌ responses is achieved at​​ the neuronal level.

Our​​​‌ findings revealed that specific‌ second-order interneurons play a‌​‌ crucial role in modulating​​ the balance between startle​​​‌ and escape behaviors in‌ Drosophila larvae. Through detailed‌​‌ EM connectomics and calcium​​ imaging, we identified key​​​‌ interneurons, such as A19c‌ and early-born ELs, that‌​‌ are differentially involved in​​ these defensive actions. We​​​‌ demonstrated that mechanosensory stimulation‌ can inhibit escape behaviors‌​‌ in favor of startle​​ responses by influencing the​​​‌ activity of these interneurons.‌ Furthermore, our study highlighted‌​‌ the role of descending​​​‌ neurons in promoting startle​ behaviors and potentially modulating​‌ the escape sequence. These​​ results collectively underscore the​​​‌ complexity and flexibility of​ neural circuits in orchestrating​‌ context-appropriate defensive behaviors, offering​​ a deeper understanding of​​​‌ the neural basis of​ adaptive behavior in response​‌ to environmental threats.

9​​ Bilateral contracts and grants​​​‌ with industry

9.1 Bilateral​ contracts with industry

-​‌ NVIDIA - support the​​ project on foetus of​​​‌ the lab - will​ sign an MOU with​‌ pasteur (reflexion on signing​​ something with INRIA)

9.2​​​‌ Bilateral Grants with Industry​

Participants: JB Masson,​‌ Francois Laurent, Christian​​ Vestergaard.

- ANR​​​‌ with Orange - microbrain​ on Edge

- Cifre​‌ with Biomerieux started in​​ december 2025

10 Partnerships​​​‌ and cooperations

10.1 International​ initiatives

10.1.1 Participation in​‌ other International Programs

NeuroAI​​

Participants: Christian Vestergaard,​​​‌ Francois Laurent, Alex​ Barbier–Chebbah, Astrid Nilson​‌, Heloise prevot,​​ jb masson.

  • Title:NeuroAI​​​‌
  • Partner Institution(s):Pasteur, Allen, UW,​ MILA etc.
  • Date/Duration:ongoing 2020-...​‌
  • Additionnal info/keywords:

10.2 International​​ research visitors

10.2.1 Visits​​​‌ to international teams

Research​ stays abroad
JB Masson​‌
  • Visited institution:Janelia reserch campus​​
  • Country:USA
  • Dates:year 2025
  • Context​​​‌ of the visit:collaboration Zlatic​ & Turaga
  • Mobility program/type​‌ of mobility:
    (Visiting Scientist)​​
Francois laurent
  • Visited institution​​​‌
    :Cambridge LMB
  • Country:UK
  • Dates:year​ 2025
  • Context of the​‌ visit
    :collaboration Zlatic
  • Mobility​​ program/type of mobility:
    (Visiting​​​‌ Scientist)

10.3 European initiatives​

10.3.1 H2020 projects

Participants:​‌ jb masson.

  • FEDER​​
    :Foetus IDF

10.4 National​​​‌ initiatives

Participants: jb masson​.

  • IHU ReConnect
    :WP6​‌
  • IHU ICE
    :WP4
  • RHU​​ ReBone
    :WP1,5 Co-lead

10.5​​​‌ Regional initiatives

Participants: Christian​ Vestergaard, Francois Laurent​‌, Alex Barbier–Chebbah,​​ JB Masson.

  • DIM:​​​‌
    C-Brain
  • PrAIrie:
    3 chairs​

10.6 Public policy support​‌

Participants: JB Masson.​​

  • Senat:
    Machine learning in​​​‌ animal research
  • IHDEN:
    Auditeur​ SNC-7/SN4

11 Dissemination

11.1​‌ Promoting scientific activities

11.1.1​​ Scientific events: organisation

General​​​‌ chair, scientific chair
  • KITP​ Program “Neurophysics of Active​‌ Sensing” (neurosensing25), Kavli Institute​​ for Theoretical Physics, UC​​​‌ Santa Barbara, 14 July–15​ August 2025. Jean-Baptiste Masson​‌ participated in this multi-week​​ research program on active​​​‌ sensory strategies in biological​ organisms. Coordinators: D. Kleinfeld​‌ (UCSD), M. Louis, P.​​ Ramdya (EPFL), T. Sharpee,​​​‌ J. H. Simpson.
  • Neural​ Networking Night seminar series​‌, Le Piano Vache,​​ Paris, recurring (e.g. 13​​​‌ June 2025). The lab​ provides essential equipment for​‌ this Île-de-France computational neuroscience​​ community seminar. Organizers: A.​​​‌ Cayco-Gajic (ENS), S. Ostojic​ (ENS/CNRS), J. Barbosa (INSERM),​‌ M. Graupner (Université Paris​​ Cité).
Member of the​​​‌ organizing committees
  • PINTS –​ Paris Île-de-France Neuroscience, Theory,​‌ and Systems, ENS​​ Paris, 6 December 2024.​​​‌ Annual symposium for cognitive,​ computational, and systems neuroscience​‌ in the Paris region.​​
  • GDR NeuralNet 2024 –​​​‌ 13th Annual Meeting,​ NeuroPSI, Campus CEA Saclay,​‌ 13–15 November 2024. Organizing​​ committee includes Tihana Jovanic,​​​‌ close collaborator of the​ lab.

11.1.2 Invited talks​‌

  • Audition before the French​​ Senate (Commission des affaires​​​‌ économiques, AI hearing series​ “Intelligence artificielle: quelles ambitions?”),​‌ Palais du Luxembourg, Paris,​​ 21 January 2026.
  • Bernstein​​​‌ Conference 2025, Goethe​ University Frankfurt, Germany, 28​‌ September–2 October 2025. Flagship​​ European conference on computational​​ neuroscience.
  • COSYNE 2025 (22nd​​​‌ Computational and Systems Neuroscience‌ Conference), Montreal & Mont-Tremblant,‌​‌ Canada, 27 March–1 April​​ 2025. Premier computational/systems neuroscience​​​‌ conference.
  • APS Global Physics‌ Summit 2025 (Joint March‌​‌ + April Meeting), Anaheim,​​ California, 16–21 March 2025.​​​‌ World's largest physics conference‌ (14,000+ attendees).
  • Conference on‌​‌ Complex Systems 2025 (CCS​​ 2025), University of Siena,​​​‌ Italy, 1–5 September 2025.‌ Flagship annual meeting of‌​‌ the Complex Systems Society.​​

11.1.3 Leadership within the​​​‌ scientific community

  • PR[AI]RIE Chair‌ holder – Jean-Baptiste Masson‌​‌ holds a chair at​​ the PR[AI]RIE institute (PaRis​​​‌ Artificial Intelligence Research InstitutE),‌ one of France's four‌​‌ 3IA institutes.
  • “Ambassadeur IA​​ Santé” (AI Health Ambassador),​​​‌ named 1 July 2025‌ as part of the‌​‌ national “Osez l'IA” plan​​ (€200M government initiative led​​​‌ by Minister Clara Chappaz).‌ Part of a cohort‌​‌ of 300 ambassadors tasked​​ with accelerating AI adoption​​​‌ across French enterprises by‌ 2030.
  • IHEDN Auditor –‌​‌ Nominated by Prime Minister​​ decree (24 June 2024)​​​‌ as auditor of the‌ 4th National Session of‌​‌ IHEDN (Institut des Hautes​​ Études de Défense Nationale),​​​‌ cycle 2024–2025, major “Souveraineté‌ numérique et cybersécurité.”
  • FHU‌​‌ FOR LIFE – The​​ lab is one of​​​‌ 10 research teams in‌ the FHU FOR LIFE‌​‌ (Fédération de Recherche pour​​ la mise en Lumière​​​‌ par l'Imagerie du Foetus),‌ labelled 2025–2029, led by‌​‌ Pr Laurent Salomon (Necker).​​
  • IHU-ICE (IHU Robert-Debré du​​​‌ Cerveau de l'Enfant) –‌ The Masson lab and‌​‌ its BAOBAB platform are​​ listed among the research​​​‌ teams of this France‌ 2030–funded IHU (€50M) dedicated‌​‌ to children's neurodevelopmental disorders.​​
  • IHU reConnect – Participation​​​‌ in this first European‌ IHU dedicated to hearing‌​‌ and speech disorders (€40M,​​ France 2030). Consortium meeting​​​‌ 6–7 March 2025, Institut‌ de l'Audition, Paris.
  • RHU‌​‌ REBONE (€24.6M, France 2030,​​ 2024–2029) – Lab member​​​‌ of this major RHU‌ project on real-time preoperative‌​‌ 3D reconstruction for bone​​ repair surgery. Scientific and​​​‌ Technical Advisory Board participation.‌

11.1.4 Scientific expertise

  • Expert‌​‌ commentator for Le Monde​​ on AI in psychiatry​​​‌ (Callyope startup, voice biomarkers‌ and generative AI for‌​‌ psychiatric monitoring), published 14​​ January 2026.
  • Care Insight​​​‌ – In-depth expert interview‌ on AI in pediatrics‌​‌ (published 25 November 2025),​​ covering data heterogeneity, digital​​​‌ twins limitations in living‌ systems, and regulatory barriers‌​‌ for health AI in​​ Europe.
  • White papers on​​​‌ AI in Healthcare (2024):‌ co-author of “Données de‌​‌ santé artificielles: analyse et​​ pistes de réflexion” (synthetic​​​‌ health data) and “AI‌ in Healthcare: Keys to‌​‌ Innovation While Addressing Digital​​ Sovereignty Challenges.”
  • Jury member,​​​‌ AI projects – CNAM‌ (Conservatoire National des Arts‌​‌ et Métiers), 3 September​​ 2025. External evaluator for​​​‌ AI projects.
  • Jury member,‌ Institut Imagine, 3‌​‌ March 2025. External evaluator​​ for PhD/grant applications at​​​‌ this leading European center‌ for genetic diseases.

11.1.5‌​‌ Research administration

  • Direction meeting​​ with Prof. Yasmine Belkaid​​​‌ (Director General, Institut Pasteur)‌ regarding the Neuroscience Department‌​‌ strategy, 15 September 2025.​​
  • Journées du Département de​​​‌ Neuroscience, Institut Pasteur,‌ 8 September 2025. Internal‌​‌ annual departmental retreat.
  • Journées​​ RHU ANR, 10​​​‌ September 2025. Annual review‌ of RHU-funded projects under‌​‌ France 2030 (participation through​​​‌ RHU REBONE).

11.2 Teaching​ - Supervision - Juries​‌ - Educational and pedagogical​​ outreach

11.2.1 Supervision

  • Prix​​​‌ du Meilleur PSC de​ l'X (2025) – Supervised​‌ the winning Projet Scientifique​​ Collectif at École Polytechnique.​​​‌

11.2.2 Juries

  • Jury IA​ projets CNAM, Conservatoire​‌ National des Arts et​​ Métiers, Paris, 3 September​​​‌ 2025.
  • Jury Imagine,​ Institut Imagine, Hôpital Necker-Enfants​‌ Malades, Paris, 3 March​​ 2025.

11.2.3 Educational and​​​‌ pedagogical outreach

  • Cours IA​ Sénologie, 21 November​‌ 2024. Specialized course on​​ AI applied to breast​​​‌ imaging, aimed at radiologists​ and breast surgeons.
  • Neuropédiatrie​‌ UPC, 2 December​​ 2024. Neuropediatrics seminar/presentation at​​​‌ Université Paris Cité.

11.3​ Popularization

11.3.1 Specific official​‌ responsibilities in science outreach​​ structures

  • Ambassadeur IA Santé​​​‌ – Official AI Health​ Ambassador under the national​‌ “Osez l'IA” plan (Ministry​​ of Economy), from 1​​​‌ July 2025. Role involves​ promoting AI adoption in​‌ the health sector across​​ French enterprises, as part​​​‌ of a cohort of​ 300 ambassadors.

11.3.2 Productions​‌ (articles, videos, podcasts, serious​​ games, ...)

  • Le Monde​​​‌ – “Santé mentale: grâce​ à l'IA, Callyope veut​‌ aider les psychiatres à​​ prévenir les rechutes de​​​‌ leurs patients,” by Laure​ Belot, published 14 January​‌ 2026. Jean-Baptiste Masson quoted​​ as expert on medical​​​‌ AI and European positioning​ in digital health.
  • France​‌ Culture – “La Science,​​ CQFD” – Episode “Jumeaux​​​‌ numériques et médecine: le​ patient modèle” ( 58​‌ min), 2025. Radio show​​ on digital twins in​​​‌ healthcare, with J.-B. Masson​ and Anna Niarakis (Univ.​‌ Toulouse). Hosted by Natacha​​ Triou & Antoine Beauchamp.​​​‌
  • BFM Business – “Tech​ & Co”, 18​‌ November 2025. TV appearance​​ on the PR[AI]RIE institute​​​‌ and Avatar Medical.
  • Polytechnique​ Insights – Tribunes:​‌
    • “L'IA peut-elle remplacer l'expérimentation​​ animale?” (18 June 2024),​​​‌ with J.-M. Besnier (Sorbonne)​ and N. David (École​‌ Polytechnique).
    • “Vers une psychiatrie​​ augmentée par le numérique”​​​‌ (10 December 2024), with​ P.-A. Geoffroy (GHU Paris).​‌
  • Magazine Science et Cerveau​​ – “Étudier le cerveau​​​‌ des larves drosophiles pour​ mieux comprendre les maladies​‌ neurologiques,” June–August 2024, pp.​​ 14–15. Feature article on​​​‌ the lab's Drosophila larva​ research.
  • Fort Éclair podcast​‌ (Association des Jeunes IHEDN),​​ 2024. Podcast appearance on​​​‌ defense and digital sovereignty​ topics.
  • France Bioimaging interview​‌ – “Meeting with Jean-Baptiste​​ Masson: from lab to​​​‌ Avatar Medical start-up,” 2025.​
  • Enjeux Numériques – Annales​‌ des Mines, 2023.​​ Contribution on virtual worlds​​​‌ perspectives and challenges.

11.3.3​ Participation in Live events​‌

  • Visit of Yaël Braun-Pivet​​ (President of the French​​​‌ National Assembly) to Institut​ Pasteur on World Cancer​‌ Day, 4 February 2026.​​ Tour of the DBC-EPI​​​‌ lab, meeting with Director​ General Yasmine Belkaid, and​‌ press conference.
  • La Nuit​​ de la French Tech​​​‌ London – Panel “AI's​ role in biomedical engineering​‌ & healthcare decision-making,” 29​​ January 2025, London. Official​​​‌ pre-event for the 2025​ AI Action Summit (Paris).​‌ Co-panelists: Karim Beguir (InstaDeep),​​ Prof. Alison Noble (Oxford).​​​‌
  • Forum Innovation Défense (FID)​ 2025, Porte de​‌ Versailles, Paris, 27–29 November​​ 2025. France's flagship defense​​​‌ innovation event (100+ exhibitors,​ 100+ innovation projects). Organized​‌ by AID/DGA, Ministère des​​ Armées.
  • MedInTechs 2025,​​ Parc Floral de Paris,​​​‌ 10–11 March 2025. French‌ health innovation and medical‌​‌ technology trade show.
  • École​​ de Guerre – Académie​​​‌ des Sciences cycle,‌ 2025. Participation in the‌​‌ Sciences cycle at the​​ École de Guerre.

11.3.4​​​‌ Others science outreach relevant‌ activities

  • Per Fumum event,‌​‌ 3 April 2025. Participation​​ in an event organized​​​‌ by the Fonds de‌ Dotation Per Fumum (dedicated‌​‌ to France's olfactory heritage),​​ connecting to the lab's​​​‌ neuroscience research on olfactory‌ search strategies.
  • Le Point‌​‌ – Palmarès des Innovateurs​​ (2024). Jean-Baptiste Masson named​​​‌ laureate in Le Point‌ magazine's annual ranking of‌​‌ French innovators.
  • Carnot Label​​ – Institut Pasteur (2023).​​​‌ Feature and video interview‌ on the “Fondamentalement Appliqué”‌​‌ series about the lab-to-startup​​ journey (Avatar Medical).

12​​​‌ Scientific production

12.1 Major‌ publications

12.2 Publications of the​​ year

International journals

Reports & preprints​​​‌