We are seeking for a motivated scientist to work on the role of the cytoskeleton in modulation of gene expression in mouse oocytes. In Mammals, the nucleus is centrally located in the oocyte and thus does not predefine the future embryo axes, unlike in most model systems. Yet, nucleus centring correlates with the success of meiotic divisions in mouse and human oocytes1,2. Meiotic divisions and the first steps of embryonic development take place in the absence of transcription and rely entirely on maternal transcripts accumulated in the oocyte during its growth. In this context, post-transcriptional regulation through mRNA translation or degradation is essential. Recently, we identified the mechanism of actin-based nucleus centring in mouse oocytes3: the nucleus is positioned thanks to a Formin 2-nucleated actin cytoplasmic mesh. Interestingly, we also discovered the involvement of nucleus centring in the control of transcriptome composition (Almonacid, submitted). In this project, using cell biology coupled to computational biology, bio-informatics and bio-physics, we want to understand the impact of nucleus centring in modulation of gene expression.
Candidates interested in the position should directly contact Marie-Hélène Verlhac, co-head of the team “Oocyte Mechanics and Morphogenesis” in the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology located at the heart of Paris in the Collège de France.
References:
1. S. Brunet et al., Reprod. 133, 1069–1072 (2007). 2. M. Levi et al., Hum. Reprod. 28, 2482–2489 (2013). 3. M. Almonacid et al., Nat Cell Biol. 17, 470–479 (2015).
