Biography
Unleashing the Power of Science: Transforming Research into Life-Changing Discoveries
I am a dedicated researcher with a background in physiology and molecular biology, having pursued my studies at the University of Marseille. In 2005, I earned a biotechnology engineer degree from Polytech Marseille. Fueling my passion for knowledge, I delved further into the field of oncology and obtained a PhD in molecular oncology from the University of Paris XI in 2008.
My postdoctoral journey commenced at the Institut Cochin, where I spent a year working on immunology and focusing on HIV in the laboratory of antigen presentation by dendritic cells. Following this, I redirected my efforts towards cancer research and stem cell investigations at Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar in 2009. Here, my primary focus was on the in-vitro expansion of hematopoietic stem cells and their relationship with the mesenchymal and endothelial niche. Concurrently, I served as the flow cytometry core manager, overseeing critical aspects of this vital technique.
In 2013, I made a transition to the Qatar Cardiovascular Research Center, which is affiliated with the prestigious Qatar Foundation. During my time there, I extensively studied the direct and indirect reprogramming of fibroblasts and blood cells into cardiomyocytes. The pursuit of scientific excellence has always been my driving force.
Since joining Sidra Medicine in 2015, I have been at the forefront of stem cell research as the leader of the stem cell/CRISPR-Cas9 core facility within the Sidra Research department. Additionally, I contribute my expertise as a cell sort expert in the flow cytometry core. In 2020, I made a seamless transition to the cancer research department, where my primary focus lies in the in-vitro validation of candidate genes for cancer immuno-modulation. To achieve this, I employ cutting-edge techniques such as molecular biology and CRISPR genome editing, utilizing activation, inhibition, Knock-Out, Knock-In, and tagging strategies. Furthermore, I am actively involved in creating three-dimensional models of immune infiltration and exploring the potential of CAR-T and TCR T cell derivation from cord blood through genomic editing. I collaborate closely with the pathology department to develop innovative tools for molecular diagnostics in cancer patients.
Driven by an insatiable curiosity, I thrive on exploring new techniques and overcoming technical challenges. My contributions to the field have been recognized through various awards and grants. For more information on my research projects and publications, please refer to the details below.
Scientific Skills
Gene edition with CRISPR
I started working with CRISPR in 2017, implementing CRISPR-Cas9 technology in Sidra Medicine as a core service, offering Knock Out, SNP Knock In, protein tagging using CRISPAINT, and more recently CRISPR activation with SAM and inhibition with KRAB. I used these techniques to genetically edit various primary, stem cell and cancer cell lines. More recently implemented pooled CRISPR SCREEN.
Cancer Research
After my PhD in oncology on carcinogenesis and DNA damage evasion. I worked on cancer and it's relation to endothelial and mesenchymal niche in Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar. I joined in 2020 the cancer research depatment where I work in the in-vitro validation of immuno-oncogenic targets identified in silico and 3D modelisation of immune cell invasion of cancer. I also work on CRISPR genomic edition of cord blood derived CAR-T and MR1 TCR T cells. Finally i am working with the pathology department to establish new tools for molecular diagnostic for cancer patients.
Stem Cell Research
After working on Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) relation with mesenchymal and endothelial niche in Weill Cornell Medicine from 2009 to 2013, I started deriving human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (IPSCs) from patient to model cardiac diseases in Qatar Cardiovascular Research Center (QCRC) in 2013. I also worked on direct reprogramming of human fibroblast into cardiac cells. In 2015 I joined Sidra Medicine where I established the stem cell core facility deriving IPS as services and implementing new techniques for faster and cheaper derivation using Flow Cytometry Activated Cell Sorting (FACS).
Flow Cytometry
Starting in 2008 establishing 12 colors panel on LSR II, I worked since with a multitude of flow cytometer and cell sorters. I headed the flow core facility in Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar, in Qatar Cardiovascular Center and am the sort specialist in Sidra Medicine. I worked with various flow cytometers: LSR II, Fortessa, Symphony, FACS Canto, Apogee (microvesicles), Novocyte, and more recently Aurora (spectral analyzer). I am expert on the 6 lasers sorters: FACS Aria III.
Molecular Biology
Starting from 2005 in the molecular biology lab in Novartis, I gained along the years extensive proficiency not only in multiple cloning techniques (cut/past, Gateway, In Phusion, Gene shoeing) and plasmid prep, vector design, but also PCR, RT-q-PCR, High Resolution Melting, Westernblot, Sanger sequencing, Methylation Specific PCR and Bisulfite Specific PCR...
Cellular Biology
Naturally during my career I developed extensive skills for a large spectrum of cell culture and clone derivation. From cells isolation and culture from diverse patient specimen, reprogramming, lipid based transfection and electroporation to virus production and cell line clonal derivation...
Microscopy and Histology
Used extensively during my PhD and my first postdoc, I am strongly skilled in tissue sectioning and staining of both frozen and paraffin embedded tissues. That naturally led me to develop strong skills that I use on a regular basis in brightfield and fluorescence microscopy using various microscopes including confocal microscopes such as Zeiss LSM 780 and Leica TCS. I performed various type of image analysis using a diversity of software.
Other skills
Teaching
Teaching experience of various courses for master’s degrees in University Paris 11 (cancer), Qatar University, and HBKU (stem cells)
Project and Budget Management
Complete autonomous management of scientific projects with budget management and grant application.
Mentoring
Recruitment, training, and management of multiple technicians and students
Informatics
Hight proficiency in FACS softwares: Diva, FlowJo, Spectroflow, Histogram, FCS express.
Very good use of Vector NTI, Image J.
Good practice of genomic analysis with Parteck, IPA ingenuity suite.
Professional Experience
April 2020 - Present
Senior Staff Scientist
Sidra Medicine
Tumor Biology and immunology laboratory
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· Led CRISPR-Cas9 functional validation of cancer immunomodulatory genes in pediatric and adult tumors, identifying novel targets for immune-checkpoint and cell-therapy strategies.
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· Faced with limited 2D models of immune evasion, designed and implemented 3D tumor spheroid–immune cell co-culture assays, enabling quantitative assessment of immune infiltration and cytotoxicity and becoming a reference platform for internal and collaborative projects.
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· Established in-house Oxford Nanopore (ONT) sequencing workflows for CNS tumor DNA methylation and transcriptomic profiling, supporting rapid molecular classification and integration with EPIC array-based classifiers.
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Investigated tumor-microbiome interactions using murine in-vivo cancer models
June 2015 - April 2020
Senior Staff Scientist / Stem Cell and CRISPR core manager / Sort specialist
Sidra medicine
CRISPR–Stem Cell Core Lead
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Built Sidra’s CRISPR–Stem Cell Core from the ground up, providing iPSC derivation, CRISPR gene editing (KO/KI/CRISPRa) and clonal line validation services to multiple research programs.
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· Standardized editing pipelines (gRNA design, delivery, clonal screening, QC) and documentation, improving reproducibility and accelerating timelines for disease-modeling projects.
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· Managed a high-dimensional flow cytometry and confocal imaging core, including panel design, instrument maintenance, SOP development and user training.
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· Advised PIs on experimental design for stem-cell and CRISPR projects, troubleshooting complex editing and differentiation issues and helping move projects from concept to publication.
January 2013 - June 2015
Scientist/flow core manager
Qatar Cardiovascular Research Center (QCRC)
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DReprogrammed fibroblasts to induced cardiomyocytes for cardiac-regeneration studies, establishing protocols that underpinned translational collaborations.
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Manager of the flow cytometry for cell sorting and flow analysis
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Modification of valve scaffold for cellular implants
September 2009 - January 2013
Research associate / Flow core manager
Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar
Stem Cell and Micro-Environment Laboratory.
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Investigated hematopoietic stem-cell interactions with mesenchymal and endothelial cells, supporting basic and translational hematology projects.
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Ovarian cancer microenvironement projects
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Derivation of cardiomyocytes from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
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Manager of the flow cytometry core for cell sorting and flow analysis
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​Served as NY Stem Cell Foundation Fellow, contributing to pluripotent stem-cell workflows and technology transfer.
September 2008 - September 2009
Post-doctoral associate
Institut Cochin
Laboratory of antigen presentation by dendritic cells
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Studied NK and dendritic cell interactions in HIV infection, applying advanced flow cytometry and functional assays to dissect innate immune responses.
September 2005 - September 2008
PhD candidate
Atomic Energy Center/Institut Gustave Roussy
Study of telomeres, telomeric proteins, genomic instability, and DDR response role across multistep carcinogenesis in lung, colon, and breast cancer.
February - September 2005
Engineer
Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research
Molecular biology laboratory
Test and comparison of multiple cloning techniques : multisite Gateway, In Phusion, Gene Soeing and vector design for expression in E.Coli, HEK, and Baculovirus.
2004
Research placement
Center of the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS)
Macromolecular system engineering laboratory
Study of impact of depletion of cyclin Clb6 in S. cerevisiae.
Education
PhD
2008
PhD in oncology and physiology from University of Paris 11
Biotechnology Engineer
2005
Biotechnology engineer degree from School for advanced study in engineering technology, specialty biotechnology, and Applied Microbiology (Polytech Marseille).
University diploma in communication and management
2004
University Diploma from University of Aix-Marseille II in communication and management
Master degree
2003 (valedictorian)
Master’s degree in cellular biology and physiology, specializing in microbiology,
specialization in bacteria physiology et biotechnology. University of Aix-Marseille II (Luminy).
Languages
French (Native)
English (Fluent)
Spanish (Basic)
Associate editor of Journal of Translational Medicine since 2020
Modulation of SLFN11 induces changes in DNA Damage response
Christophe M. Raynaud, Eiman I. Ahmed et al.
Cancer cell international and BioRxiv 2023.04.02.535254; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/.04.02.535254
Use of Media Conditioning for Robust Single Cell Sorting of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Raynaud CM, Al-Mannai S.
Single Cell Biology (2023). 12:068
Identification of an unusual combination of actionable mutations through genomic profiling in a child with an aggressive sarcoma
Shimaa Sherif, Wouter R. L. Hendrickx, Christophe Raynaud, et al.
Pediatric Blood & Cancer. MPO30730.
Integrated tumor, immune and microbiome atlas of colon cancer
Roelands J., Kuppen P. J.K., Ahmed E.I., Mall R., Masoodi T., Singh P, Monaco G, Raynaud C., et al.
Nature Medicine (2023). doi: 10.1038/s41591-023-02324-5
The immune landscape of solid pediatric tumors
January 25, 2025
Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR 2022, 41, 199, doi:10.1186/s13046-022-02397-z
Surface Modification of Polytetrafluoroethylene and Polycaprolactone Promoting Cell-Selective Adhesion and Growth of Valvular Interstitial Cells
January 25, 2025
Journal of functional biomaterials 2022, 13, doi:10.3390/jfb13020070
Red blood cell derived extracellular vesicles during the process of autologous blood doping
S C Voss, M Yassin, J C Grivel, S Al Hmissi, N Allahverdi, A Nashwan, Z Merenkov, M Abdulla, A Al Malki, C Raynaud, et al.
(2022) Drug test Anal: 34453778
In vitro Interleukin-7 treatment partially rescues MAIT cell dysfunction caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection
Hubrack, S., M. A. Al-Nesf, N. Agrebi, C. Raynaud, et al.
(2021) Sci Rep 11(1): 14090
Manipulation of cellular behaviour on surface-modified polyvinylidene difluoride using wet chemistry
M. Gabriel, C. Bollensdorff and C.M. Raynaud
Biomed. Phys. Eng. Express 6 065006
Flow-Cytometry Platform for Intracellular Detection of FVIII in Blood Cells: A New Tool to Assess Gene Therapy Efficiency for Hemophilia A
M. Elnaggar, A. Al-Mohannadi, D. Kizhakayil, C.M. Raynaud, S. Al-Mannai, G. Gentilcore, I. Pavlovski, A. Sathappan, N. Van Panhuys, C. Borsotti, A. Follenzi, J.C. Grivel, S. Deola
Molecular therapy. Methods & clinical development 17 (2020) 1-12.
Conjugation of peptides and PEG onto PMMA surfaces via mild aminolysis reaction
Gabriel, M., D. Strand, C.F. Vahl and C.M. Raynaud
Med Appl 3(1): 10.4172/2577-0268.1000122
The march of pluripotent stem cells in cardiovascular regenerative medicine.
Abou-Saleh, H., F. A. Zouein, A. El-Yazbi, D. Sanoudou, C. Raynaud, C. Rao, G. Pintus, H. Dehaini and A. H. Eid
Stem Cell Res Ther 9(1): 201.
Analysis of RBC-Microparticles in stored whole blood bags - a promising marker to detect blood doping in sports?
Voss, S. C., M. Jaganjac, A. M. Al-Thani, J. C. Grivel, C. Raynaud, H. Al-Jaber, A. S. Al-Menhali, Z. A. Merenkov, M. Alsayrafi, A. Latiff and C. Georgakopoulos
Drug Test Anal 9(11-12): 1794-1798.
Maturation of pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes: The new challenge
Idil Aigha, C. M. Raynaud
global cardiology science & practice 2016(1): 14.
Valve Tissue Engineering with Living Absorbable Threads.
Liberski, A. R., C. M. Raynaud, N. Ayad, D. Wojciechowska and A. Sathappan
Macromol Biosci 17(5).
Tailoring Novel PTFE Surface Properties: Promoting Cell Adhesion and Antifouling Properties via a Wet Chemical Approach
Gabriel, M., K. Niederer, M. Becker, C. M. Raynaud, C. F. Vahl and H. Frey
Bioconjug Chem 27(5): 1216-1221.
Reprogramming for cardiac regeneration
Raynaud C.M., Faizzan Syed Ahmad, Mona Allouba, Haissam Abou-Saleh, Kathy O. Lui, Magdi Yacoub
Glob Cardiol Sci Pract. 2014 Oct 1;2014(3)
Clinical trials of bone marrow derived cells for ischemic heart failure. Time to move on? TIME, SWISS-AMI, CELLWAVE, POSEIDON and C-CURE
Raynaud C.M., Yacoub MH
Glob Cardiol Sci Pract. 2013 Nov 1;2013(3):207-11. doi: 10.5339/gcsp.2013.28. eCollection 2013.
Endothelial cells provide a niche for placental hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell expansion through broad transcriptomic modification
Raynaud, C.M., et al.,
Stem Cell Research, 2013. 11(3): p. 1074-1090.
The Necessity of a Systematic Approach for the Use of MSCs in the Clinical Setting
Raynaud, C.M. and A. Rafii
Stem Cells Int, 2013. 2013: p. 892340.
Adaptation of a commonly used, chemically defined medium for human embryonic stem cells to stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture
Liberski AR, Al-Noubi MN, Rahman ZH, Halabi NM, Dib SS, Al-Mismar R, Billing AM, Krishnankutty R, Ahmad FS, Raynaud CM, Rafii A, Engholm-Keller K, Graumann
J Proteome Res, 2013. 12(7): p. 3233-45.
Human embryonic stem cell derived mesenchymal progenitors express cardiac markers but do not form contractile cardiomyocytes
Raynaud CM, Halabi N, Elliott DA, Pasquier J, Elefanty AG, Stanley EG, Rafii A.
PLoS One. 2013;8(1):e54524. doi:
Comprehensive characterization of Mesenchymal stem cells from human placenta and fetal membrane.
Raynaud CM, Maleki M., Lis R., Ahmed B., Al-Azwani I., Malek J., Safadi F. and Rafii A.
Comprehensive characterization of Mesenchymal stem cells from human placenta and fetal membrane. Stem Cells Int. 2012;2012:658356. Epub 2012 Jun 4.
Gene expression analysis of matched ovarian primary tumors and peritoneal metastasis.
Malek JA, Martinez A, Mery E, Ferron G, Huang R, Raynaud C, Jouve E, Thiery JP, Querleu D, Rafii A
J Transl Med. 2012 Jun 11;10(1):121.
Mesenchymal stem cells enhance ovarian cancer cell infiltration through IL6 secretion in an amniochorionic membrane based 3D model
Touboul C, Lis R, Al Farsi H, Raynaud CM, Warfa M, Althawadi H, Mery E, Mirshahi M, Rafii A.
J Transl Med. 2013 Jan 31;11:28. doi: 10.1186/1479-5876-11-28.PMID:23369187
Mesenchymal cell interaction with ovarian cancer cells triggers pro-metastatic properties
Lis R.; Touboul C.; Raynaud CM.; Malek J; Suhre K.; Mirshahi M.; Rafii A.
Plos One. 2012;7(5):e38340. Epub 2012 May 30.
Tumor associated mesenchymal stem cells protects ovarian cancer cells from hyperthermia through CXCL12
Lis R, Touboul C, Mirshahi P, Ali F, Mathew S, Nolan DJ, Maleki TM, Abdalla SA, Raynaud CM, Querleu D, Al-Azwani E, Malek J, Mirshahi M, Rafii A.
Int J Cancer. Aug 2010
Telomere maintenance and DNA damage responses during lung carcinogenesis.
Lantuejoul S, Raynaud C, Salameire D, Gazzeri S, Moro-Sibilot D, Soria JC, et al.
Clin Cancer Res. 2010 Jun 1 ;16(11):2979-88.
Expression of chemokine receptor CCR6 as a molecular determinant of adrenal metastatic relapse in patients with primary lung cancer
Raynaud CM, Mercier O, Dartevelle P, Commo F, Olaussen KA, de Montpreville V, et al.
Clin Lung Cancer. 2010 May;11 (3):187-91.
Telomere length, telomeric proteins and DNA damage repair proteins are differentially expressed between primary lung tumors and their adrenal metastases
Raynaud CM, Mercier O, Commo F, Dartevelle P, Gomez-Roca C, de Montpreville V, et al.
Lung Cancer. 2009 Aug;65(2):144-9.
DNA damage repair and telomere length in normal breast, preneoplastic lesions, and invasive cancer
Raynaud CM, Hernandez J, Llorca FP, Nuciforo P, Mathieu MC, Commo F, et al.
Am J Clin Oncol. 2009 Oct 30.
Differential expression of biomarkers in primary non-small cell lung cancer and metastatic sites.
Gomez-Roca C, Raynaud CM, Penault-Llorca F, Mercier O, Commo F, Morat L, et al.
J Thorac Oncol. 2009 Oct;4(10):1212-20.
Telomere length, telomeric proteins and genomic instability during the multistep carcinogenic process
Raynaud CM, Sabatier L, Philipot O, Olaussen KA, Soria JC.
Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2008 May;66(2):99-117.
Telomere shortening is correlated with the DNA damage response and telomeric protein down-regulation in colorectal preneoplastic lesions
Raynaud CM, Jang SJ, Nuciforo P, Lantuejoul S, Brambilla E, Mounier N, et al.
Ann Oncol. 2008 Nov;19(11):1875-81.
Telomeres: hallmarks of radiosensitivity.
Ayouaz A, Raynaud C, Heride C, Revaud D, Sabatier L.
Biochimie. 2008 Jan;90(1):60-72.
References
Line managers references
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Dr. Wouter Henrickx (Sidra Medicine) Email: wouterhendrickx79@gmail.com (Principal Investigator)
Tel:+974 6630 7877
Dr. Davide Bedognetti (Sidra Medicine) Email: davidebedognetti@gmail.com (Director of translational Medicine)
(Sidra) Tel: +974 7478 2879
Dr. William Mifsud (sidra Medicine) Email: wmifsud@sidra.org (Attending Phyisician Anatomical pathology)
Tel: +974 7048 8512
Dr. Christian Bollensdorff (QCRC) Email: Christian@bollensdorff.de (Principal Inverstigator)
Tel: +41779421465
Dr. Arash Rafii (Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar) Email: rafii.arash@gmail.com (Principal Investigator)
Tel:+974 3313 5828
Dr. Anne Hosmalin (Institut Cochin) Email:anne.hosmalin@inserm.fr (Principal Investigator)
Tel:+33 6 3066 8192
Dr. Jean-Charles Soria Email : soriajeancharles@gmail.com (Director)
(PhD) Tel : +33 1 4211 4291
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Employee/student references
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Ayesha Jabeen (Sidra Medicine) Email: ajabeen1@sidra.org (research specialist II)
Tel: +974 7070 9166
Apryl Sanchez (Sidra Medicine) Email: asanchez@sidra.org (research specialist I)
Tel: +974 5006 9303
Sharifa Al-Mannai (Sidra Medicine) Email: salmannai3@moi.gov.qa (research specialist I)
Tel:+974 3303 7223
Idil Ahmed (QCRC) Email: Idil842@hotmail.com (research specialist/PhD student)
Tel:+974 3396 8898
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