Michel Thellier


Michel Thellier, born on December 8, 1933, in Arcueil, is a French plant physiologist. Member of the French Academy of sciences.

Course

Attracted by both biology and physics, Michel Thellier has developed a dual culture by passing, at the Faculty of Sciences of Paris, a degree in biology-geology later supplemented by in-depth plant physiology, nuclear physics and radioactivity, physical theories. Assistant, Head of Works and Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Sciences of Paris, Doctor of Science after his return from military service, Professor in Tunis then in Rouen where he directed the Laboratory associated with the CNRS Cell Physiology, Signals and Regulations. He formed a team and engaged in collaborations that took their full part in his scientific work. Editor-in-Chief of the American journal J. Trace Microprobe Techniques, Elected to the French Academy of sciences and the Académie d'Agriculture de France, Professor emeritus.

Military service

Performed in the Navy as an Instructor in Nuclear Physics and Aggressive Radioactive Physics with the rank of Ship Ensign . Promoted to the rank of Ship Lieutenant .

Scientific work

Michel Thellier, who entered the research through the study of boron plant nutrition, due to the lack of a radioisotope of sufficient duration, used the stable isotope 10B as a tracer by detecting it thanks to its large cross-section effective for the reaction. First using the neutrons from the ZOE nuclear cell, he was the first to measure flux and perform boron imaging in plant samples. He generalized the Li, N and O method for animal and plant samples, obtaining in particular the first image of the distribution of lithium in the brain of mice subjected to lithium treatment similar to that used at the time for manic-depressive psychosis in humans. Then he used secondary ion emission microscopy tools to do with stable isotopes almost everything that is traditionally done with radioactive isotopes, and eventually obtained SIMS equipment for his laboratory.
For flows, he proposed replacing the so-called "Michaëlenne" formulation by a flux/force formulation, linear as long as the forces are not too high, and showed that it is also possible to achieve oscillating behaviours. Active transport has been produced by artificial, relatively simple and symmetrical systems, which may have had a role in prebiotic stages. The intervention of structures induced by their own functioning has been taken into account.
Some experiments suggesting information storage, he proposed that a form of memory exists in plants: memory of the storage/recall type, calcium-dependent and probably involving ionic condensation effects. English and German versions of his little book on plant memory have been published by Springer. The subject is expanding rapidly, with several groups now taking an interest in it in various countries. In a chapter of Springer's recently published collective book "Memory and Learning in Plants", Michel Thellier et al. highlight its ecological role in plants' adjustment of their development to local environmental conditions.

Pedagogical activity

As university professor, Michel Thellier was an active teacher, not hesitating to carry out the Directed Works corresponding to his courses himself. In 1972, he organized at the University of Rouen and then operated for a few years an "Initiation to the Use of Radioisotopes" internship, which he then gradually entrusted to a collaborator.
Now retired, he volunteers to organize scientific talks for EHPAD residents.

Other institutional responsibilities

  •    Member of Section 27 of the CNRS National Committee
  •    Member of the Standing Committee of Section 27 of the CNRS
  •    Member of the Executive Committee of the Euratom ITAL Wageningen Laboratory,
  •    Chairman of the "Advanced Course Committee" of the "Federation of the European societies for plant physiology"
  •    Chargé de mission at the Direction des Sciences de la Vie of the CNRS
  •    Member of the Permanent Mission of Studies to the Direction of the CNRS
  •    President of Section 26 of the CNRS National Committee
  •    Expert for the IAEA : 4 missions to Costa Rica
  •    Member of the CNRS Departmental Council
  •    Assistant Editor of the "Life Sciences" series of the C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris
  •    Member of the CNRS Committee on Methods, Models and Theories
  •    Member of Expert Group No. 5 of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research
  •    Chief Editor of the American newspaper J. Trace Microprobe Techn
  •    Delegate of the Section of Animal and Plant Biology at the French Academy of sciences
  •    Member of the Jury of the Bower Award

Distinctions