A postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Clarisse Berlioz-Torrent at the Institut Cochin in Paris. This opening is funded by the ANRS (Agence Nationale de Recherche sur le SIDA et les Hépatites Virales).
Overview
Autophagy is a highly conserved degradative pathway that maintains cellular homeostasis, responds to pathological processes and combats infections. Growing evidences demonstrate that ATG proteins, which control autophagy, also regulate non-autophagy-related cell functions, such as phagocytosis of pathogens, membrane remodeling, antiviral activity or specialized secretion. These recent advances led us to explore the non-canonical function of ATG proteins in HIV-1 replication cycle. In this context, we showed that HIV-1 engages a non-canonical autophagic pathway, reminiscent of LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP), to counteract BST2 restriction on HIV-1 release. BST2 is a restriction factor that reduces HIV-1 dissemination by tethering HIV-1 virions at the cell surface.
Project
With more than 700000 deaths due to this infection in 2019, HIV-1 is still a major global public health issue. It is therefore crucial to better characterize the interactions with cellular proteins that govern the replication cycle of HIV-1 in order to propose new therapeutic targets. In line with our ongoing work, the candidate will identify cellular cofactors required for HIV dissemination, related to non-canonical function of ATG proteins.
Applicants for this position should have strong knowledge and expertise in virology, protein biochemistry, cellular biology, molecular biology and/or the field of autophagy. While previous experience in these fields is a plus, we also welcome candidates from other fields, motivated to make the transition to HIV research. Main activities will be: cell tissue culture and viral infection in BSL2 and BSL3 environment, Imaging (confocal microscopy, live imaging, electronic microscopy), cellular fractionation and compartment isolation, protein complex purification, mass spectrometry analysis.
Environment
Team Host-Virus Interactions is part of the department Infection, Immunity, Inflammation of the Institut Cochin located in the center of Paris, 22 rue Méchain – 75014 Paris, France.
Visit our Web: https://www.institutcochin.fr/la-recherche/3i/equipe-berlioz_torrent-emiliani
Institut Cochin is one of the biggest biomedical French Research Center located in the center of Paris that provides a multidisciplinary scientific environment and very efficient core-facilities.
Qualifications
Candidate should be strongly motivated, have excellent technical skills, good communication skills and fluent English. Candidates should also possess a PhD or MD/PhD.
Please send a cover letter describing past research accomplishments and future research interests, CV, and a list of 3 references by email to: clarisse.berlioz@inserm.fr
