Since 1998, Guillaume van Niel has investigated the molecular mechanisms regulating the generation and dynamics of the late endosomal system using cell biology methods combined with electron and light microscopy imaging. He is particularly interested in the balance between lysosomal degradation and secretion of exosomes from late endosomes and their relevance in neuropathies. 

During his carrier between France and Netherlands he has contributed to a better understanding of the biogenesis and functions of extracellular vesicles in intestinal epithelial cells, dendritic cells and melanocytes.

Since 2017, Guillaume van Niel is team leader and research Director, first at the Institute of neurosciences and Psychiatry of Paris and since 2023 at CRCI2NA in Nantes. His team employs cutting edge imaging methods to further elucidate the cell biology of EVs life cycle in vivo in cellular and zebrafish models. Their recent works have established this model organism as a reference for imaging EVs in real-time in vivo at the vesicle scale. Currently, Guillaume van Niel's team is focusing on the role of membrane contact site in the balance between lysosomes and exosome secretion, the fundamental role of CD63 in endosomal homeostasis and the establishment of disease model in zebrafish to study the role of EVs communication in Age-related diseases.

Seminar topic: Extracellular vesicles - Basic lessons and therapeutic applications of live imaging approaches.