As part of the Autumn of Science 2026, the library invites you to hear Franck Zal speak about the extraordinary powers of marine worms used in medical research, which he describes in his book "Un trésor sous le sable".
A discovery that is revolutionizing medicine! On the beaches of Brittany, between tides, a marine worm called the lugworm hides beneath the familiar coils of sand seen by beachgoers. This small worm can survive without breathing for six hours thanks to its hemoglobin, which binds forty times more oxygen than human hemoglobin! A true treasure beneath the sand, from which Franck Zal, a researcher at the CNRS in Roscoff, has derived an oxygen-carrying molecule that is revolutionizing surgery worldwide. Already used for transplants, it can meet oxygen needs in many situations: wound healing, burns, strokes, traumatic brain injuries, sickle cell disease… In 2023, Hemarina, Franck Zal's Brittany-based start-up, attracted investors from around the world. The researcher recounts this extraordinary breakthrough for humanity. He also describes his remarkable journey as the son of a factory worker who, following the example set by his parents — hard work, courage, and perseverance — rose to the highest levels of science despite jealousy, obstacles, and espionage. His book Un trésor sous le sable was written with Elena Sender, a biologist, science journalist, author, and filmmaker, and Robert Thibierge, a documentary filmmaker and producer. The event will be moderated by Guillaume Tixier, an environmental, science, and health journalist. Booking is required through Bibliocité: Bibliocité | Register for an event Learn more about Franck Zal Franck Zal is a French scientist with a doctorate in marine biology. His work on hemoglobin earned him the CNRS bronze medal in 2001. In 2007, he left the CNRS and founded HEMARINA, a biopharmaceutical laboratory specializing in the development of healthcare products based on the properties of lugworm hemoglobin. He published Un trésor sous le sable with Editions Les Arènes in 2024. He won the 2026 European Inventor Award in the « SMEs » category.
Price: https://bibliocite.fr/evenements/
Source: paris.fr — photo: Franck Zal "Un trésor sous le sable" - Editions Les Arènes