RHEM

RHEM

Discover our platform in detail

RHEM : Presentation

Montpellier Experimental Histology Network (RHEM), created in 2008, is a platform specialized in histological processing, histological phenotyping, and anatomo-pathological analysis of tissues from experimental animal models of human diseases.

RHEM contributes to preclinical research in order to:

  • Better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of diseases,
  • Assess the safety and efficacy of new therapies,
  • Identify new pathogenic or therapeutic targets.

By pooling human resources, equipment, and expertise, RHEM constitutes a unique resource for histological and anatomo-pathological analysis for the research stakeholders of Montpellier and the surrounding region.

Services and Integration within the Scientific Ecosystem

The platform also provides a scientific expertise upstream of experiments, support in result interpretation, methodological advice, as well as training in histology and immunohistology. It develops innovative technologies for the characterization of experimental models and constitutes a BioBank of healthy and pathological experimental tissues.

RHEM is part of a dynamic network and acts as a link between several strategic platforms:

  • the Montpellier Animal Facilities Network (RAM),
  • Montpellier Small Animal Imaging (IPAM),
  • and Montpellier Ressources Imaging (MRI).

All of them are federated within BioCampus Montpellier.

Our missions

Analyse

Ensure the histological processing, phenotyping, and anatomo-pathological analysis of tissues, in order to contribute to the understanding of diseases and the evaluation of innovative therapeutic approaches.

Accompany

Provide scientific expertise upstream and downstream of projects, advise research teams, train in histology and immunohistology techniques, and make high-performance equipment available.

Innovate

Develop new technological approaches to better characterize experimental models and enrich the BioBank of experimental tissues, thus promoting translational research and the valorization of discoveries.

Institutional Support and Funding

Our network is strongly supported by our supervisory institutions (CNRS, INSERM, and the University of Montpellier) as well as the Grand South-West Cancer Cluster, SiRIC MONTPELLIER Cancer, IBiSA (Infrastructure in Biology, Health, and Agronomy), the French League Against Cancer, the Occitanie-Méditerranée region, and Europe.

RHEM : Organization

The RHEM Network is a multi-site platform based on three technical facilities located across three distinct campuses, and associated with five research institutes:

  • Arnaud de Villeneuve Campus (AdV), bringing together the IGF (Institute of Functional Genomics) and the IGH (Institute of Human Genetics)
  • IGMM (Institute of Molecular Genetics of Montpellier)
  • IRCM (Montpellier Cancer Research Institute)

This network organization allows the pooling of expertise and equipment while ensuring broad coverage of experimental histology needs.

The services offered by RHEM are accessible to the entire scientific community, whether academic researchers or industrial partners.

Through these platforms, RHEM offers:

  • histological techniques provided as services or in collaboration,
  • access to equipment dedicated to histological, cytological, and tissue clearing studies using the Clarity method,
  • advice and training,
  • technological developments.

We also offer lesion analysis by a veterinary pathologist.

The highly qualified staff of these facilities work in close synergy to provide solutions tailored to researchers’ needs.

The strategic directions of the network are defined by a steering committee composed of the scientific and technical managers of the partner structures.

RHEM : Quality Management System

Since 2019, in collaboration with the Quality Department of BioCampus Montpellier, RHEM has implemented a Quality Management System (QMS).

The objective of this initiative is twofold:

  • to continuously improve the platform’s operations and expertise,
  • to adapt its organization and output to the expectations of users, while providing the team with optimized working conditions.

In December 2022, the RHEM IRCM facility obtained ISO 9001:2015 certification, coupled with NFX 50-900 certification (for its R&D section). The other RHEM facilities have also implemented a quality management approach.

These standards are based on several fundamental principles

  • a strong customer focus,
  • the motivation and commitment of the team and management,
  • a process-based approach,
  • a continuous improvement approach.

RHEM : Organization chart

Direction de la plateforme RHEM

    Responsable Scientifique :

  • Florence BERNEX
    • (MC, UM, 15%)

    Responsable opérationnel :

  • Nelly PIROT
    • (IR, INSERM, 20%)

    Responsable management qualité :

  • Yohan NOEL
    • (IE, INSERM, 15%)
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Comité de Direction

  • Florence BERNEX
  • Iria GONZALEZ-DOPESO-REYES
  • Anne GUILLOU-DUVOID
  • Hélène HIRBEC
  • Matthieu LACROIX
  • Valerie PINET
  • Nelly PIROT
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Comité d'orientation scientifique et technique

    Experts externes :

  • Marie-Anne COLLE (Oniris, Nantes)
  • Alain FAUTREL (Université Rennes1, Rennes)
  • Annick PRIGENT (Institut du Cerveau, Paris)

    Experts locaux :

  • Virginie GEORGET (CRBM, Montpellier)
  • Vanessa GUILLAUMON (Siric Montpellier Cancer (sponsor), Montpellier)
  • Camille MARTINAND-MARI (ISEM, Montpellier)
  • Danièle NOEL (IRMB, Montpellier)
  • Mirelle-Ange PISTRE (Région Occitanie (Sponsor), Montpellier)
  • Valérie RIGAU (CHU, Montpellier)
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Correspondant

  • Anatomopathologiste referent : Florence BERNEX
  • Transparisation : Chantal RIPOLL
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RHEM - IRCM

    Responsable Scientifique :

  • Matthieu LACROIX (CR, INSERM, 10%)

    Responsable Technique :

  • Nelly PIROT (IR, INSERM, 80%)

    Personnel plateau permanent :

  • Florence BERNEX (MC, UM, 35%)
  • Aurélie COVINHES (AI, CNRS, 100%)
  • Yohan NOEL (IE, INSERM, 85%)

    Personnel plateau CDD :

  • Morgane BROYON (CDD AI, ICM, 100%)
  • Hanane MANSOURI EL YAMANI (CDD IE, CNRS, 100%)
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RHEM - IGMM/CRBM

    Responsable Scientifique :

  • Valerie PINET (CR, INSERM, 10%)

    Responsable Technique :

  • Iria GONZALEZ-DOPESO-REYES (IR, CNRS, 50%)

    Personnel plateau permanent :

  • Laura CANTIN - SORO (T, UM, 20%)

    Personnel plateau CDD :

  • Valentin GARCIA (CDD IE, CNRS, 60%)
  • Amy MOREL (CDD T, UM, 100%)
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RHEM - ADV

    Responsable Scientifique :

  • Hélène HIRBEC (DR, CNRS, 10%)

    Responsable Technique :

  • Anne GUILLOU-DUVOID (AI, CNRS, 100%)

    Personnel plateau permanent :

  • Stéphanie DEJARDIN (IE, CNRS, 10%)
  • Chantal RIPOLL (IR, INSERM, 20%)

    Personnel plateau CDD :

  • Valentin GARCIA (CDD IE, CNRS, 40%)
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Any questions?

For any request regarding the RHEM platform, our activities, or our services, please do not hesitate to contact us!