A Postdoctoral position is available in January 2023 for 2 years in the group BiophysiCyaA from the Biochemistry of Macromolecular Interactions Unit.
CyaA is a multi-domain protein of 1706 amino-acid residues produced by Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough. CyaA is able to translocate its catalytic domain directly across the plasma membrane in the cytosol of eukaryotic cells, where it produces supraphysiological levels of cAMP, leading to subversion of host cell functions. The objective of the PTR is to optimize CyaA-based antigen delivery vehicle (OptiCyaA4ADV). Several optimizations are required to enhance the applicability of CyaA-based ADV. The parameters allowing an efficient ACD translocation into target cells are still unknown. A systematic analysis of the effects of the length, mean net charge and folding state of the ACD-cargo would be instrumental to broaden the scope of use of CyaA-based ADV. Moreover, we propose to enhance the translocation efficiency (P454 membrane flip and CaM affinity) to rationally design more efficient CyaA-based ADV for cargos characterized by unfavorable properties. The skills for this project cover molecular biology, protein sciences (biochemistry, protein production & purification, biophysics), membrane preparation and characterization (not all skills are required, some skills can be acquired by the post-doc fellow during the project).
Candidates should email a motivation letter, a CV and send the names of three references to Alexandre Chenal (chenal@pasteur.fr).