INSTITUT DE BIOLOGIE DE L'ECOLE NORMALE SUPERIEURE
Organisation/Company ENS - CNRS - INSERM Department INSTITUT DE BIOLOGIE DE L'ECOLE NORMALE SUPERIEURE Research Field Medical sciences » Health sciences Pharmacological sciences » Other Biological sciences » Biology Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Country France Application Deadline 31 Dec 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Nov 2024 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - EIC Reference Number 101129622 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description Missions
To contribute to the understanding of the genetic and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms of the expression of innate immune genes encoding antimicrobial peptides, in human intestinal epithelial cells.
To participate in the development of an innovative therapeutic strategy to fight against resistance of pathogens to antimicrobials through the immuno-stimulation of human genes encoding antimicrobial peptides.
Activities
The postdoctoral project is part of the European MaxImmun consortium aiming to prevent and treat mucosal infections, and conflicts that may occur between a host and its microbiota, through the development of a new therapeutic strategy based on immunomodulatory molecules boosting the expression of antimicrobial peptides of the immune system. To face the antimicrobial resistance crisis, this innovative therapeutic strategy will be relevant in the fight against endemic infections in emerging countries, and for infectious or inflammatory pathologies encountered in industrialized countries.
The dual objective of the postdoctoral project will be (i) to decipher the fundamental regulatory mechanisms of human genes encoding antimicrobial peptides, and (ii) to characterize the action mechanisms of immunomodulatory molecules identified by screening and capable of boosting expression of these genes from the mucosal innate immunity. Based on a model of antimicrobial peptide gene regulation developed in the laboratory, we will study the newly identified activation and repression circuits as well as the impact of the immunomodulatory molecules on the regulation of these genes.
Activation of cell signaling pathways, recruitment of transcription factors of the immune response, and epigenetic modifications taking place at the level of the promoter of antimicrobial peptide genes will be studied. Activating or repressive function of these changes in the chromatin environment at the level of these genes will be evaluated using genome and epigenome editing approaches, gene silencing by siRNAs, or pharmacological inhibitors. Ultimately, this approach will allow us to better understand (i) the fundamental mechanisms of antimicrobial gene regulation, (ii) the action mechanisms of the immunomodulatory molecules studied, and (iii) to select among these molecules future drug candidates which could enter the research and development pipeline within our consortium, with the perspective of a phase I clinical trial.
Where to apply E-mail ******
Requirements Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Education Level PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Skills
Genetic regulations (human cell)
Epigenetic regulations (human cell)
Cellular signalling (human cell)
Molecular biology (human cell)
Cellular biology (human cell)
Knowledge
Genetic and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms
Antimicrobial peptides and inflammation
Cell signalling
Methodology for conducting a research project
Knowledge of communication principles and techniques
French and English languages: B2 to C1
Specific Requirements Expertise
Genome and epigenome editing approaches
Gene silencing by siRNAs
RNA-seq and data analysis
Analysis of gene expression by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR)
Analysis of the secretion of antimicrobial peptides by ELISA assays
Human cell culture
To have fluent French and English languages (written and spoken)
To have a sense of organization, a practical and critical mind, and know how to anticipate
To master the Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Prism softs
Know-how
To be independent
To be curious
To be open minded
To be easy going
To know and define priorities
To be synthetic
To be responsive and dynamic
To be rigorous and organized
To respect confidentiality
Languages FRENCH Level Excellent Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent
Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Years of Research Experience 1 - 4
Additional Information Contract Period : 36 months
Proportion of work : Full time
Remuneration : Between 3 000€ and 3 300€ according to experience
Desired level of education : Niveau 8 - (PhD)
Eligibility criteria
Background : Immunology, Innate immunity, Inflammation, Antimicrobial peptides, Host-pathogen interactions
Selection process
Selection based on application file and interview
Additional comments
The European MaxImmun project is based on a consortium made up of six French (INSERM, CNRS, ENS), German (HZI), Swedish (UU) partners, and the ImmunRise Technologies (IRT) biotechnology company. The objective is to develop an innovative therapeutic strategy to fight antimicrobial resistance.
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