Portrait of a scientist in the International Network: Meriem Ben Ali: A better diagnosis for immune deficiencies in Tunisia

Each month for the coming semester, the International Affairs Department will present the portrait of a scientist in the Institut Pasteur International Network. This monthly snapshot will offer a glimpse of the career, commitment and challenges – together with some choice anecdotes – of those whose efforts ensure that Pasteurian research reaches every continent worldwide.

The fifth portrait is of Meriem Ben Ali. Primary immunodeficiencies cause immune system anomalies in those affected, preventing an optimal defense against pathogens. These diseases linked to genetic anomalies are especially common in Tunisia owing to a high rate of consanguinity. Facing up with these pathologies, Dr. Meriem Ben Ali conducts research in the Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections Laboratory of the Institut Pasteur de Tunis to improve their diagnosis and genetic counseling to parents.

As soon as middle school, Meriem Ben Ali was sure of her calling. "I have always been drawn to life sciences. Understanding the immune system and genetics fascinated me ! Biology was for me the only subject in which it was not necessary to learn, you just had to understand" she joked. When Meriem launched into higher education, she naturally moved towards natural sciences. She got a master's degree in 2000 and then another degree in genetics and molecular biology at the Tunis University of Sciences.

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