The Institut Pasteur is an internationally renowned center for biomedical research that stands out in many disciplines. By deciphering the fundamental mechanisms of living organisms, its researchers contribute to the advancement of knowledge that leads to cutting-edge medical applications, ultimately improving public health.

Research at the Institut Pasteur is based on four key strengths:

  • research conducted at all levels of life, from molecules to individuals and populations;
  • multidisciplinary strategies, focusing on molecular and cellular approaches as well as bioinformatics, biophysics, chemistry and nanotechnologies;
  • unique technological facilities, including the most powerful microscope in the world (Titan);
  • an international network of 33 institutes, (the only one of its kind in the world), which is present on every continent.

Combining these resources is essential to responding to the major public health challenges of today, for example antibiotic resistance, the impact of microbiota (formerly called gut flora) on our health, promoting healthy aging, etc. Institut Pasteur is engaged on these fronts and its discoveries improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases (Ebola, malaria, AIDS, tuberculosis, Zika, etc.), neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, etc.), cancers (uterine, stomach, etc.), autism, etc.

Thanks to strong interdisciplinary and international capacities, at the Institut Pasteur, diverse research fields and expertise synergize to generate major breakthroughs in biomedicine. In this way, an understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of cell motility benefits cancer researchers studying metastasis dissemination. Similarly, characterization of the genetic and environmental factors that influence our immune response, whether through infection or vaccination, paves the way for personalized medicine. 

These examples show the vital role of Institut Pasteur’s fundamental research and its impact on clinical research to the benefit of patients. This positive influence on public health is also seen in Institut Pasteur’s educational mission, a commitment to share knowledge with future generations of researchers and doctors.  

Olivier Schwartz, directeur scientifique de l’Institut Pasteur

Olivier Schwartz,
Scientific Director
of the Institut Pasteur

Since the creation of the Institut Pasteur 130 years ago, our objective has been to better treat and prevent diseases, both current and future. Today, emerging viruses and microbes, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, neurodegenerative diseases and cancers represent some of our priority challenges. Our goal is also to better understand the functioning of our organism and the microbes that surround us. The strength of the Institut Pasteur and its international network is to bring together researchers from many disciplines in fundamental and translational research, with state-of-the-art technological facilities, in order to decipher the fundamental mechanisms of the living world. We hope that these multidisciplinary and integrative approaches will contribute to improving human health.




Département de Biologie cellulaire et infection - Institut Pasteur

Cell Biology and Infection

Shedding light on the intricate workings of microbes and cells is the focus of research conducted in this department.

Département de Biologie du développement et cellules souches - Institut Pasteur

Developmental and Stem Cell Biology

How do cells acquire their identity? How are organs formed? Little is known about the mechanisms behind the “development” of animals, including human beings.

Département Génomes et génétique - Institut Pasteur

Genomes and Genetics

Exploring the genomes of bacteria, yeast, insect vectors and ultimately humans.

Département d'immunologie - Institut Pasteur


The complexity of the immune system is a never-ending source of fascination for scientists.

Département Infections et épidémiologie - Institut Pasteur

Infection and Epidemiology

Studying infectious diseases and tackling the emergence of new pathogenic agents.

Département de Microbiologie - Institut Pasteur


Bacteria have always been important research models at the Institut Pasteur.

Département de Mycologie - Institut Pasteur



Département de Neurosciences - Institut Pasteur


The nervous system has yet to reveal all its secrets.

Département Parasites et insectes vecteurs - Institut Pasteur

Parasites and Insect Vectors

Parasitic diseases are all too often neglected. However, they affect close to 3 billion people in the world.

Département de Biologie structurale et chimie - Institut Pasteur

Structural Biology and Chemistry

Observing life at atomic level because chemistry is the motor of life.

Département de Virologie - Institut Pasteur


Fighting viral infections that affect human health.

Transversal research centers

3 inter-disciplinary research centers which all help to stimulate
collaborations and synergy between initiatives within the campus and international network.


Center for Global Health (CGH)

Director of the CGH:

Arnaud Fontanet

Facilitating and raising the profile of Institut Pasteur projects that tackle global health threats.


Center for Translational Science

Director of the CRT:

Stanislas Pol

Facilitating new biomedical projects and contributing to the advancement of medicine.


Center of Bioinformatics, Biostatistics and Integrative Biology (C3BI)

Director of the C3BI:

Olivier Gascuel



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