ATOMIC Research Group
Research Topics
Isotopic biomarkers and
metabolism studies
This research topic develops innovative approaches based on ultra-precise measurement of natural abundances of stable isotopes to characterize metabolic alterations associated with cancer. Combining GC-C-IRMS, LC-IsoOrbitrap, and cellular or clinical models reveals specific isotopic signatures in fatty acids, amino acids, and nitrogen fluxes.
These biomarkers, already demonstrated in tumor tissues, cancer cell lines, and clinical trials, pioneer a new generation of tools for stratification, therapeutic monitoring, and early detection of cancers.
Ongoing projects:
PLBIO 2024-2028
Identification of new biomarkers
for the Li-fraumeni syndrome
Publications:
Mangeon, L. et al. Simultaneous quantification and natural 13C abundance of fatty acids in breast cancer tissues and serum by GC-C-IRMS for tumor characterization. TalantaOpen 2025
Mantha, OL. et al. Understanding natural isotopic variations in cultured cancer cells. Rapid.Com. Mass.Spec 2024, 38:e9878
Mantha, OL. et al. N-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation Impacts Protein Metabolism Faster Than it Lowers Proinflammatory Cytokines in Advanced Breast Cancer Patients: Natural 15N/14N Variations during a Clinical Trial. Metabolites 2022
Tea, I. et al. Stable Isotope Abundance and Fractionation in Human Diseases. A review. Metabolites 2021
Authentication and origin
of natural products
The authentication and determination of the origin of natural products is a long-standing focus of the laboratory, which has over 30 years of expertise in this field.
This major societal issue responds to the growing needs of consumers and manufacturers in terms of traceability and authenticity guarantees.
Our approach is based on the in-depth characterization of raw materials and complex mixtures (essential oils, aromatic products) using isotopic, chiral, and mass coupling, with the data integrated into statistical models to identify reliable markers of authenticity.
Ongoing projects:
PIRALAD 2024-2027IRALAD 2024-2027
Interministerial Mission for the Fight Against Drugs
and Addictive Behaviors
PHC Nusantara 2025-2026
Indonesian ginger authentication
Publications:
Cuchet, A; et al. Analytical strategy overview to identify vegetable oil adulteration in essential oils: The Cypriol (Cyperus Scariosus L.) essential oil workcase. Flavour and Fragrance Journal 2025
Cuchet, A.et al. Authentication of Tonka beans extracts (Dipteryx odorata) using LC-UV/MS, GC-MS and multi element (13C, 2H and 18O) bulk specific isotope analysis. Industrial Crops & Products 2024
Cuchet A.et al. Delta18O compound specific stable isotope assessment: an advanced analytical strategy for sophisticated adulterations detection in essential oils – Application to spearmint, cinnamon, and bitter almond essential oils authentication. Talanta, Elsevier, 2023
Moras, B. et al. Authentication of Iranian saffron (crocus sativus) using stable isotopes δ13C and δ2H and metabolites quantification. Molecules MDPI Special Issue « Saffron under New Perspective: From Chemical Characterization to Biomedical Application Molecules 2022
Cuchet, A. et al. Determination of Enantiomeric and Stable Isotope Ratio Fingerprints of Active Secondary Metabolites in Neroli (Citrus aurantium L.) Essential Oils for Geographical and Purity Authentication. Journal of Chromatography B 2021
Development of isotopic methods
The development of isotopic methods focuses on the design of new analytical couplings for isotopic analysis, such as interfaces dedicated to the global isotopic measurement of a sample (development of EA-Laser), multi-element isotopic analysis (15N, 2H, 13C, 18O) of specific compounds within complex matrices, and position-specific isotopic analysis (PSIA) developed by LC-IsoOrbitrap, which allows the analysis of compounds at very low concentrations (pmol).
Ongoing projects:
AAP 2024
Iso-orbitrap acquisition
ISOPALIN 2024-2028
Isotopic approaches to reconstruct the
growth media of flax fibres in ancient Egypt
Publications:
Ferrant, M. et al. Elemental Analyzer –Interface- Off Axis Integrated Cavity Output Spectroscopy (EA-OA-ICOS): A Universal Coupling for Carbon Stable Isotope Analysis of Organic Materials. Anal Chem. (in press) 2025
Mhanna, T. et al. Carbon-13-Isotopomics and Metabolomics of fatty Acids from Triacyl-glycerol Overcoming the Limitations of GC-C-IRMS for Short- and Medium-Acyl Chains. Anal.Bioanal. chem 2024
Jame P. et al. Titre de l’invention : Dispositif de couplage d’un analyseur élémentaire et d’un analyseur isotopique par spectroscopie d’absorption laser. 2022 Patent
Environmental applications
Environmental applications use isotopic signatures to understand how our planet has evolved over thousands of years, climate variations, geological dynamics, and seismic zones.
They also make it possible to assess the impact of human activities on natural systems.
This research topic thus contributes to a detailed characterization of environmental processes and the production of reliable indicators for monitoring and preserving ecosystems.
Ongoing projects:
CLIMS 2023-2026
Climate crisis decodes
by salt grain
Publications:
Reyes, L. et al. Analysis of aliphatic and phenolic compounds present in industrial black liquors using HPLC-DAD and IC-MS/MS methods Journal of Chromatography B 2025
Danquigny, R et al. 13C-labeled nanoplastic model materials: Synthesis and evaluation of their use in ecotoxicology through bioaccumulation studies in aquatic crustaceans. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2025
Minnaert Cl et al. Tracking fluid sources in mantle wedge jadeitites: petro-geochemical constraints and implications for fluid venting above the subduction interface. Chemical Geology 2025
Duval P. et al. Pollution gradients shape microbial communities associated with Ae. albopictus larval habitats in urban community gardens. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 2024
Melis, R. et al. When rainfall trapped in Fluid Inclusions perfectly restores the relief on which it falls: Insights from the Cenozoic Himalayan. Science Earth and Planetary 2023
Pujic, P.et al. Frankia alni carbonic anhydrase regulates cytoplasmic pH of nitrogen-fixing vesicles. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2023
Analytical Equipments
within the laboratory
Isotopic Analyses
IRMS and coupling
- 2 EA-IRMS bulk analysis 13C/15N/18O/2H
- 4 GC-IRMS CSIA 13C/15N/18O/2H
- 1 GC-pyrolysis-GC-IRMS 13C
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Laser spectroscopy
- Laser OA-ICOS 2H/18O (H2O)
- Laser OA-ICOS 13C (CO2)
- EA-Laser CO2 for13C analysis
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Laser ICOS CO2
Isotopic HRMS
- HRMS Iso-Orbitrap Exploris 240
- LC Vanquish-Exploris 240
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Identification quantification
GC and coupling
- 5 GC-FID
- 4 GC-MS
- 2 GC(2D) MS/FID
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LC and coupling
- 2 LC- UV
- 1 IC-MS/MS
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IC-MS/MS
IC-MS/MS
Elemental Analyses
- Elemental Analyzer C,H and N
- Analyzer for total organic carbone (TOC)
- Analyzer for %C in refractory compounds
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ATOMIC Research Group
Experts in isotopic analysis and analytical development, we explore metabolic fluxes associated with diseases and biological systems. Our expertise extends to the authentication and origin of natural products, as well as the monitoring of environmental and climate processes.