Next members from ULI France had the private tour of the Pasteur Institute on the 15th of February 2023

There are many ways we could understand this parisian institution : the cradle of fundamental research in biomedicine, having 130 years of discoveries in human and public health, from which the PN emerges , a network owning / giving birth to the Pasteur Network owning international recognition. We visited the most modern part of the site, sleek architecture, made up of multiple laboratories including OMICS. The buildings are named after well-known researchers like François Jacob (Nobel Prize in physiology and medecine, known for his prominent work on enzymes) or Alexandre Yersin (discoverer of the bacillus of the plague). We have all been very impressed by the account of the evolution of the Institute given by Marc Monot and Pascal Delonca , encompassing a vegetalisation plan, a historical greenhouse and an education centre.

The spaces of this site have been renovated and optimised 5 years ago and house a museum and the crypt of the Louis Pasteur – which is unfortunately being restored (so we will be back). The institute is facing different constraints they have to cope with such as the proximity to residential buildings, limited storage capabilities, low ceiling heights. This place still remains prestigious and inspiring for neophytes in biology like us.

Finally, we were allowed access to some laboratories full of cutting-edge equipment and benefitted from a simplified lesson in biology. After the Covid pandemic, this visit could not have been more enlightening on the important role that the Pasteur Institute played during that time.

Fun facts & insights :

• One exception to the rule of only having building named after scientists, is the Simone Veil building. She is also known as “the white knight of the Pasteur Institute”. She is being paid tribute for encouraging in 1975, the first financial involvement of the government to the Pasteur Institute, and undeniably contributed to preserving its heritage.
• Certified ISO 9001, the Pasteur Institute is currently working towards the implementation of environmental initiatives ; just like recycling plastic as well as reusing any removable pieces of equipment as to only get rid of liquid waste.

The Pasteur Institute is based on a nonprofit business model and counts on the generosity of private individuals and businesses which currently ensure a third of its resources. For more information and sponsor this historical site, please get in touch with Frédérique Chegaray : [email protected].