Questions and AnswersProf. Dr. Dominique Soldati

How or why did you become involved in infection research, what fascinates you about this subject?
After finishing a PhD in basic Molecular Biology Research (RNA processing), I felt the need to investigate a medically relevant problem and was fortunate to join the laboratory of Dr. John Boothroyd at Stanford University who was studying two human pathogens, the protozoan parasites Trypanosoma brucei responsible for the sleeping sickness and Toxoplasma gondii the causative agent of toxoplasmosis.  In this highly stimulating environment I wanted to address a fascinating and fundamental question in Parasitology that still keeps me busy today: how can an eukaryotic cell invade, survive and replicate within an other eukaryotic cell?

What are you working on at the moment?
My group is dissecting at the molecular level the mechanisms by which the obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasites enter into host cells. This process involves the concerted action of several classes of parasite proteins including myosin motors, regulators or actin dynamics, adhesions, proteases and signalling cascades. We are exploiting the distinct advantages of three parasites, Toxoplasma gondii, the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei and the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum to tackle specific questions. More recently we have began to investigate unique metabolic pathways and strategies to access nutrient from the host in the hope to understand what distinguishes these obligate intracellular parasites from closely related free-living organisms.

What were the turning points in science, in career, in life that influenced your decisions?
Early on, during my undergraduate studies, the lectures given by Dr. Bernard Fulpius (bridging from human health problems to molecular biochemical processes) have awakened the passion and curiosity that continue to animate me today. Dr. Heidi Diggelmann was certainly instrumental in bringing me back to the Academy at the end of my Master thesis and later on my mentors and colleagues have guided my pass. I share the fascination for science with my soul mate without whom the harmony of my life as a scientist and as a mother would have been impossible.

What was a single most important moment of your career?
There is not a single moment. I see my career as a constellation of small and big frustrations, hopes, disappointments, achievements, satisfactions and joys.

What was your most important scientific discovery?
The very open and collaborative spirit in the community of Parasitologists has led to the development of robust genetically tractable systems for apicomplexans and I was fortunate to contribute to these endeavours. It has opened the avenues to the most ambitious investigations and offered us the luxury to tackle functionally, almost any aspect of the biology of these parasites.

What drives you and carries you on? What do you love about your work?
I never have the impression that I go to work. I learn every day, facing the complexity of the miracle of life and excited about scratching even only the thin surface of its secrets.

In the Academy, Science is also about role model, mentoring and interacting with students and post-docs and enriching collaborations throughout the world. All these human experiences are an unending source of joy.

What influenced and impressed you and your life and therefore science?
The rupture of dogma, the breakthroughs, the elegance in experimental approaches, the genius and the luck.

The brightness and the humility of some great scientists I was lucky to meet and the sparkle in their eyes when they talk passionately about their research.

Idols?
No idol but an admiration and great respect for many exceptional figures such as Marie Curie, Sister Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela….

What would you recommend to someone starting out in science? What would be your advice for young scientists?
Science is more a passion than a job. This passion, accompanied by a sharp curiosity, a naïve optimism, a gigantic dose of enthusiasm and an unalterable persistence are the critical ingredients of the antidote we need to overcome the great level of frustration engendered by the laborious life of researcher and the tedious and uncertain path of a career development.

My advice is to be flexible and never hesitate to jump on a train, keeping in mind that:

"It is not the strongest of the species nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change."

Charles Darwin

What would have been your alternative plan (plan B) if science /your job
had not worked out?
There has never been any plan B beside being a medical doctor but I am convinced I would be happy and find great satisfactions even if my path had led me in a completely different direction.

What are your dreams for the future?
To see the days when scientists will have won decisive victories against infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV and TB, thanks to their immense dedication to the understanding of these pathogens.

What do you think is important and should be worked on in the future?
We reach a moment when the homeostasis of our planet is in danger.

What do you do when you are not working?
With a family of four children and a passion for cooking, running and for literature, I never run out of activity.

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