Clémence Belleannée

My academic career began with obtaining a doctorate in France, followed by two post-doctoral trainings, one at Laval University and the other at Harvard Medical School where I had the honor of receiving the Epithelial Transport Group Young Investigator award in 2019. My research achievements were recognized by the American Society of Andrology in 2021, which awarded me the Matthew P. Hardy-Young Andrologist Award, and by the CHU de Québec in 2023 with the “Prix Diamant-Relève”.

Reproductive and urogenital health is an important component of men’s overall health and well-being. Although half of infertility cases involve male factors, men have been largely neglected when it comes to research, diagnosis, treatment and access to alternative contraceptives to condoms. Benefiting from a Junior 2 grant from the FRQS, I supervise a team focusing on the biological mechanisms which, when dysfunctional, can lead to male infertility problems or urogenital diseases such as prostate cancer. Our work focuses on the ability of cells of the urogenital system to detect pathophysiological changes through cellular sensory structures called “primary cilia”.

1 – Release mechanisms and functions of ciliary vesicles
Extracellular vesicles released by cells of the male reproductive system participate in sperm maturation through the transfer of molecular cargoes. This distinctive mechanism of communication between somatic cells and sperm cells, which regulates the development of sperm motility and fertilization capacity, is the focus of our research. We aim to uncover the distinctive traits and roles of a vesicular subpopulation in enhancing sperm fertilization potential, as well as to assess its diagnostic potential in cases of male infertility. NSERC grant.

2 – Role of primary cilia in the initiation and progression of prostate cancer
Given that genetic mutations affecting proteins linked to primary cilia can contribute to the development of certain cancers, our study aims to elucidate the role and therapeutic potential of ciliary molecules in the context of prostate cancer, one of the most common cancers in Canada. This research will provide crucial information on the biology of this cancer, with major implications for its prevention and treatment. Globally, prostate cancer causes more than 400,000 deaths. CIHR grant.

3 – Contribution of primary and motile cilia to efferent vas homeostasis and male fertility
The vas efferens are tubules whose function is to reabsorb up to 90% of testicular fluid and to regulate the concentration of spermatozoa to an optimal level for their maturation. These channels host specialized cells that present mechanosensory organelles, which are the subject of our studies aimed at understanding their structure and their contribution to the regulation of male fertility. Our research aims to identify new factors involved in male infertility, thus offering perspectives for the diagnosis and treatment of this condition affecting one in 20 men.