Monique Adolphe
Encyclopedia
Monique Adolphe is a French scientist and researcher into the field of cell biology
. She was one of the pioneers of cell culture in vitro and its applications in alternatives to animal testing
. She is an Officier de la Légion d'honneur ("Officer of the Legion of Honour"), one of the highest awards in France, and has received several other important decorations and distinctions (see below).
under Jean Cheymol's supervision in the 1950s, Monique Adolphe moved in 1960 into the field of cell culture
. With Paul Lechat she was an ardent advocate of alternative methods to animal testing
by promoting the use of in vitro
techniques, while recognising the limits of these methods.
Much of her research career was devoted to the study of cartilage
and chondrocyte
biology. As Research Director of the Laboratory of Cellular Pharmacology of the École pratique des hautes études
until 1997, she trained dozens of young scientists in cell culture methods. In 1986 she founded the Société de pharmaco-toxicologie cellulaire ("Society of Cellular Pharmaco-Toxicology") (SPTC).
From 1990 to 1994 she was president of the École pratique des hautes études. On 7 January 2009 she became Chair of the Académie Nationale de Pharmacie ("National Academy of Pharmacy") for one year—the first woman to hold this post since the Academy was created in 1803.
Cell biology
Cell biology is a scientific discipline that studies cells – their physiological properties, their structure, the organelles they contain, interactions with their environment, their life cycle, division and death. This is done both on a microscopic and molecular level...
. She was one of the pioneers of cell culture in vitro and its applications in alternatives to animal testing
Alternatives to animal testing
Many scientists and governments say that animal testing should cause as little suffering as possible, and some argue that alternatives to animal testing need to be developed...
. She is an Officier de la Légion d'honneur ("Officer of the Legion of Honour"), one of the highest awards in France, and has received several other important decorations and distinctions (see below).
Biography
After her pharmacological internship in the Hôtel-Dieu de ParisHôtel-Dieu de Paris
The Hôtel-Dieu de Paris is regarded as the oldest hospital in the city of Paris, France, and is the most central of the Assistance publique - hôpitaux de Paris hospitals. The hospital is linked to the Faculté de Médecine Paris-Descartes...
under Jean Cheymol's supervision in the 1950s, Monique Adolphe moved in 1960 into the field of cell culture
Cell culture
Cell culture is the complex process by which cells are grown under controlled conditions. In practice, the term "cell culture" has come to refer to the culturing of cells derived from singlecellular eukaryotes, especially animal cells. However, there are also cultures of plants, fungi and microbes,...
. With Paul Lechat she was an ardent advocate of alternative methods to animal testing
Animal testing
Animal testing, also known as animal experimentation, animal research, and in vivo testing, is the use of non-human animals in experiments. Worldwide it is estimated that the number of vertebrate animals—from zebrafish to non-human primates—ranges from the tens of millions to more than 100 million...
by promoting the use of in vitro
In vitro
In vitro refers to studies in experimental biology that are conducted using components of an organism that have been isolated from their usual biological context in order to permit a more detailed or more convenient analysis than can be done with whole organisms. Colloquially, these experiments...
techniques, while recognising the limits of these methods.
Much of her research career was devoted to the study of cartilage
Cartilage
Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue found in many areas in the bodies of humans and other animals, including the joints between bones, the rib cage, the ear, the nose, the elbow, the knee, the ankle, the bronchial tubes and the intervertebral discs...
and chondrocyte
Chondrocyte
Chondrocytes are the only cells found in cartilage. They produce and maintain the cartilaginous matrix, which consists mainly of collagen and proteoglycans...
biology. As Research Director of the Laboratory of Cellular Pharmacology of the École pratique des hautes études
École pratique des hautes études
The École pratique des hautes études is a Grand Établissement in Paris, France. It is counted among France's most prestigious research and higher education institutions....
until 1997, she trained dozens of young scientists in cell culture methods. In 1986 she founded the Société de pharmaco-toxicologie cellulaire ("Society of Cellular Pharmaco-Toxicology") (SPTC).
From 1990 to 1994 she was president of the École pratique des hautes études. On 7 January 2009 she became Chair of the Académie Nationale de Pharmacie ("National Academy of Pharmacy") for one year—the first woman to hold this post since the Academy was created in 1803.
Honours
- Member of the National Academy of Medicine (elected 2001)
- Honorary member the National Academy of Pharmacy (elected in 1984, Honorary since 2002); Vice-President since March 2008; Chair since January 2009
- Honorary President of the Society of cellular pharmaco-toxicology
- Honorary President of the European Society of tissue culture
- Officier de la Légion d'honneur
- Commander of the Order of Merit
- Commandeur des Palmes AcadémiquesPalmes académiquesThe Ordre des Palmes Académiques is an Order of Chivalry of France for academics and cultural and educational figures...