Hi! I am Syed Kaabir Ali. I am a doctoral candidate affiliated with the Active Cell Matter Lab and Cilia Biology and Neurogenesis at the École normale supérieure. I am advised by Dr. Julie Plastino, Dr. Nathalie Delghyr and Dr. Ayako Yamada. Prior to my doctoral studies, I received M.S. degree with a specialization in Microfluidics from PSL University in 2021, and the B.Tech degree in mechatronics engineering from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University in 2018.
Currently, my research investigates the role of actin in shaping the nuclear architecture during ependymal cell differentiation. My work combines aspects of mechanotransduction, developmental biology, and microfluidics. I am particularly passionate about developing innovative technologies and integrating diverse tools to study the fundamental processes governing living systems. My research aims to uncover novel insights into the implications of mechanical regulation in cell fate, cellular organization, and function. This interdisciplinary approach provides a unique perspective on neurodevelopmental processes.
🔥 News
- 2024.12: [Article Published] Part of doctoral research on ependymal cell differentiation is now published in Cell Development!
- 2024.10: [Pre-print Out] An important part of my doctoral research on ependymal cell differentiation is out!
- 2024.04: [Article Published] My first article has now been published. Congratulations to all collaborators!
📝 Publication

Syed Kaabir Ali, Catherine Sella, Vadim Dilhas, Barbara Jacková, Marina Mariconti, Clara Gomez‐Cruz, Laurent Thouin, Mathieu Morel, Damien Baigl, Ayako Yamada
In this article we introduce an original microfluidic concept for constraint-free confinement of individual giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) in microchambers with a dynamically exchangeable outer medium. This technically simple method offers an ideal platform to study the spatio-temporal response of reconstituted phospholipid bilayer membranes and/or synthetic cell studies subjected to dynamic micro-environments.
Actin-based deformations of the nucleus control multiciliated ependymal cell differentiation
Marianne Basso, Alexia Mahuzier, Syed Kaabir Ali, Anaïs Marty, Marion Faucourt, Ana-Maria Lennon-Duménil, Ayush Srivastava, Michella Khoury Damaa, Alexia Bankole, Alice Meunier, Ayako Yamada, Julie Plastino, Nathalie Spassky, Nathalie Delgehyr Open access - Biorxiv
Ependymal cells (ECs) are multiciliated cells which generate motile cilia-powered flows that are essential for the brain. This study reveals an important role of actin-based mechanical inputs to the nucleus as controlling factors in cell differentiation. Our findings also demonstrate that nuclear deformation regulates retinoblastoma protein (pRB) phosphorylation/degradation. This protein controls the G1-to-S transition in cycling cells, but also activates master regulators of EC differentiation.
📖 Education
- 2023.09 - Now: Ph.D., Biophysics, École Normale Supérieure, France
- 2020.09 - 2021.08: M2, Specialization in Microfluidics, Paris Sciences and Lettres University, France
- 2018.07 - 2020.07: M.Tech, Nanotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia, India
- 2014.07 - 2018.07: B.Tech, Mechatronics, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, India
⚙️ Projects
- 2022.07 - Now: “Actin shapes nuclear architecture during ependymal cell differentiation.”, at the École normale supérieure, France advised by Dr. Julie Plastino, Dr. Nathalie Delghyr and Dr. Ayako Yamada
- 2021.10 - 2022.06: “Developed droplet beads to measure signaling pathways in cancer cell aggregates.”, at the Cancer Research Center of Lyon, France advised by Dr. Hélène Delanoë-Ayari and Dr. Olivier Meurette
- 2021.02-2021.08: “Development of a microfluidic platform to study morphogenesis of quail embryos.”, at the Institute Pastuer, advised by Dr. Arthur Michaut
- 2020-2020: “Integration of printable polymers with composite nanomaterials for wearable microfluidics.”, at the Simon Fraser University, Canada advised by Prof. Bonnie Gray
- 2019-2020: “Fabrication and integration of microfluidic platform for fluorimetric analysis.”, at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Master’s thesis advised by Prof. Sunil Kumar
🎖 Honors and Awards
- 2023.09-2026.09: French Ministry of Research - Doctoral Research Fellowship
- 2020.02-2020.08: Mitacs Globalink Research Award, Canada
- 2018.02: [Runner Up] Inter college project on real-time data acquisition and actuation system to mitigate incidents in various environments.
📖 Conferences
- Sep 29th - Oct 4th, 2024: Poster Presentation at The Cytoskeleton as Active Matter - 818. WE-Heraeus-Seminar at the Physikzentrum Bad Honnef, Germany