Discover the BrainCHAT project in a new light
An original graphic novel by Guillaume Padilla
The BrainCHAT project
For decades, neuroscience focused on neurons as the brain’s primary functional units, yet this approach has yielded only limited treatments for neurological diseases. New research highlights the crucial role of glial cells—particularly astrocytes—in maintaining brain tissue balance through the regulation of essential metabolic processes. Astrocyte dysfunction is linked to conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and neuropsychiatric disorders.
BrainCHAT brings together experts in neuroscience, single-cell transcriptomics, and artificial intelligence (AI) to transform the way we study astrocytes and their interactions with neurons. By using high-resolution spatial sequencing and AI-assisted analysis, we will decode astrocyte-neuron communication at an unprecedented level. By integrating hundreds of thousands of cells from proprietary and public datasets, we aim to identify disease-specific astrocytic signatures and predict associated dysfunctions.
This innovative approach will enable us to discover new biomarkers and therapeutic targets, thereby transforming the way we diagnose and treat neurological diseases. By shifting from neuron-centric models to a model in which brain homeostasis is driven by astrocytes, our research could lead to breakthroughs in personalized medicine and the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. BrainCHAT is not merely basic science; it is a step toward making a tangible impact on neurology and healthcare.
Project leaders:
Hugues BERRY
Hugues Berry (Research Director, INRIA) is a specialist in computational biology. He uses mathematical models, computer science, and artificial intelligence to better understand how cells function—specifically the interactions between neurons and astrocytes. In this project, he will contribute his expertise in computational neuroscience and astrocyte modeling, while developing AI tools to automate and refine analyses.
Olivier RAINETEAU
Olivier Raineteau (Research Director, Inserm) has long studied the brain’s ability to repair itself after an injury, either through cellular regeneration or through the reorganization of neuronal connections. His team joined Lyon in 2014 thanks to the support of the PALSE project. Since then, he has acquired unique expertise in analyzing individual cells to understand how the premature brain responds to injury. In this project, he will bring his know-how in the study of neurological diseases as well as the analysis of large data sets of brain cells.
Guillaume MARCY
Guillaume Marcy is the director of the Labex CORTEX bioinformatics platform, established in 2021 at the initiative of Olivier Raineteau. This platform addresses a significant gap in the Lyon neuroscience community by enabling the generation and advanced analysis of cellular data derived from brain samples. The project aims to deepen this knowledge and apply it in a clinical setting, thereby bridging the gap between basic research and human neurological disorders. Guillaume Marcy will also be involved in spatial sequencing experiments to complement existing data and refine analyses.
BrainCHAT en BD
For the 34th edition of the Fête de la Science (Science Festival), dedicated to the theme of “Intelligence(s),” various disciplines—including life sciences, computer science, healthcare, the environment, and graphic arts—and diverse audiences—researchers, the general public, and children—engaged in dialogue to turn science into a shared experience.
The conference “Artificial Intelligence in Medicine” took place on Monday, October 6, 2025, at the Épicerie Séquentielle within the Collège Graphique. The venue was packed for an evening that blended mathematics, medicine, and the arts! The discussion among Hugues Berry,Yohann De Castro,Christophe Gauld, and Nicolas Lartillot highlighted the richness and interdisciplinary nature of AI in healthcare.
BrainCHAT, one of the winning projects of SHAPE-Med@Lyon, has come to life as a comic book by Guillaume Padilla, an illustrator trained at the Ecole Emile Cohl.