Selma Dahmane is FMI’s newest group leader, leading a team of researchers who will investigate how cells defend themselves against viral invaders. Selma talks about her fascination with infection biology, the research questions her lab is tackling, and a fictional conversation with Socrates about the quest for knowledge - a reflection of her own scientific curiosity.
Why did you become interested in science?
Like most scientists, I’m driven by curiosity. As a kid, I was fascinated by how the body works, which led me to study biology and disease. Over time, I became more and more interested in infection biology. I’m in awe of how parasites and microbes operate and exploit their hosts to replicate. The more we learn about how a virus infects a cell, the better we can understand how the cell itself works.
What questions is your lab trying to answer?
Throughout my research career, I have mostly focused on how viruses invade and use cells to spread. At the FMI, I want to study the other side of the coin: how cells build up defense mechanisms against these invaders. My lab will explore several fundamental questions, including how immune molecules involved in triggering inflammation detect viruses. To do this, my team will use a variety of methods, from classic cell and virology assays to advanced techniques such as cryo-electron microscopy, which helps us to visualize virus-host interactions.
What motivated you to join the FMI?
The FMI is known for its cutting-edge technology in tackling complex biological questions. Being part of that, working with brilliant colleagues, and growing my career as a group leader in such a dynamic setting is incredibly motivating. Plus, the opportunity to collaborate with Novartis and the Biozentrum of the University of Basel creates a unique environment for exciting projects.
What’s the best part of your work?
Right now, it’s setting up my own lab from scratch, getting to know the people at the FMI, and meeting and recruiting those who will be part of this adventure.
Who inspired you in your career path?
Many people have inspired me, but especially my postdoc mentor Lars-Anders Carlson and our collaborator Nihal Altan-Bonnet. Nihal has made significant breakthroughs in virology and is an inspiring woman scientist - always enthusiastic and supportive. Lars’s guidance has been crucial to my professional growth: I came from the fields of fluorescence microscopy and atomic-force microscopy, and he introduced me to electron microscopy, which is now one of the main areas of expertise that I bring to the FMI.
What’s your mentoring style?
My goal is to replicate the positive experience I had with my mentors by creating a supportive environment for my team, with active communication. I’ll tailor my approach to each person, helping them build their confidence and skills as scientists. This process will likely evolve over the years. What I appreciate about the FMI is that junior group leaders also get the chance to be mentored by senior leaders, who guide us on our journeys.
If you could chat over coffee with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
I enjoy philosophy, so I’d choose Socrates. He was one of the wisest people in ancient times, and his ideas still influence modern education, politics, and philosophy. Talking with him would be incredibly challenging: after all, he’s famous for saying, "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." This resonates with scientific research: we start with something we think we know, challenge our hypotheses with experiments, and end up discovering something new. But often, we’re left with even more questions. It’s a constant - and often fun - loop.
Learn more about the Dahmane research group.Hailing from Algeria, Selma Dahmane moved to France when she was 18 to study Structural Biology and Drug Design at the University of Science Montpellier. She later did a PhD at the Structural Biology Centre Montpellier and conducted postdoctoral work in the lab of Lars-Anders Carlson at Umea University in Sweden. There, Selma used cryo-electron microscopy to investigate how viruses invade cells and hijack their molecular machinery to spread. In June 2024, she joined the FMI as a junior group leader. She lives in Basel with her partner, and her hobbies include hiking, swimming, and enjoying city events.
