Two Fully Funded Phd Positions

20 Jul 2023

Job Information

Organisation/Company

IGDR

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

France

Application Deadline

30 Sep 2023 - 00:00 (Europe/Paris)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Offer Starting Date

1 Dec 2023

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

H2020 / Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number

101119504

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Two fully funded PhD positions in the Michaux lab - Dynamics of Epithelial Polarity - IGDR, Rennes, France

The two positions are funded by the Doctoral Network SurfEx , a Horizon Europe MSCA project.

The apical membrane of the intestinal epithelium presents a network of actin- based microvilli, called the brush border, which is essential for food absorption, secretion and interactions with the microbiome. In these projects, we propose to molecularly and functionally characterize intestinal microvilli in a living organism, using C. elegans as a model, from normal growth to pathological atrophy and regeneration.

Project 1: Functional characterization of the formation and maintenance of C. elegans intestinal microvilli – Supervised by Anne Pacquelet

We recently started to describe the growth and dynamics of microvilli during C. elegans development (Bidaud-Meynard et al , PMID: 34704594) . We will next characterize how major microvilli components contribute to microvilli growth and maintenance and how their dynamic localization and behaviour are regulated during microvilli formation. To this end, we will use loss of function approaches and analyse the role of microvilli factors using a combination of super-resolution imaging, FRAP measurements and food absorption experiments. We will investigate the role of microvilli factors that we and others have already identified, as well as new microvilli components identified by our collaborator Mike Boxem (Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands) using a proteomic approach. This project will lead to the first in-depth functional characterization of microvilli growth and maintenance in a living organism during embryonic and post-embryonic development, paving the way to future studies as a model for human intestinal diseases.

Project 2: Dynamics of C. elegans intestinal microvilli atrophy and regeneration – Supervised by Grégoire Michaux

In humans, intestinal microvillus atrophy can be inherited or acquired and is associated with food malabsorption, persistent diarrhoea and a severe morbidity. We propose to identify new therapeutic options to treat microvillus atrophy, whether hereditary or acquired. We recently established several genetic and pathological models mimicking inherited and acquired microvillus atrophy in C. elegans. In this project, we will first characterise microvillus atrophy and natural regeneration in these models, using state-of- the-art genetic tools and live super-resolution microscopy. We will then explore the regeneration of microvilli and compare this process to their normal developmental growth. Finally, we will test a role for the gut microbiome in improving regeneration, in a collaboration with the group of Buck Samuel (Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA).

Start Date : 1 December 2023

Application Closing Date : 31 September 2023.

Condition to apply: candidates must hold a Master degree and must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their date of recruitment.

How to apply : Candidates should hold a Master degree in developmental biology or cell biology; French speaking is not required. Send a CV, a motivation letter and the name of 2 references to anne.pacquelet@univ- rennes.fr or [email protected].

The successful applicants will be able to closely collaborate with the SurfEx teams of Mike Boxem, Lukas Kapitein and Silvia Mihăilă from Utrecht University; Fernando Martin Belmonte from CSIC; Mikael Sellin from Uppsala University; Thaher Pelaseyed from University of Gothenburg; Daniela Pacheco from Bac3Gel® Lda; Martin Knight from Queen Mary University of London; Daniel St Johnston from the University of Cambridge. They will also be integrated in the IGDR PhD program.

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

A master in cell biology or developmental biology is recommanded.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology

Additional Information Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

2

Company/Institute

IGDR

Country

France

City

Rennes

Postal Code

35043

Street

2 avenue du Professeur Léon Bernard

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

City

Rennes

Website

https: // igdr.univ-rennes.fr/en/gregoire-michaux-group

Street

2 avenue du Professeur Léon Bernard

Postal Code

35043

E-Mail

[email protected]

Mobile Phone

+33679538522

STATUS: EXPIRED