A 36-month postdoctoral fellowship starting in 2023 and funded by the French national research agency (ANR) is available in the Laboratory Pathogenesis of Anaerobic Bacteria at Institut Pasteur, Department of Microbiology.
Project outline
Enteric pathogens must integrate multiple environmental signals including differences in O2 tension and oxidative stress to successfully establish themselves within complex and diverse gut micro niches. Our team works on the pathogenesis of Clostridioides difficile (CD), a major spore-forming anaerobic enteropathogen, responsible for antibiotic associated diarrhea in adults. CD infection is an health and economic burden and
CD is a good model to decipher the impact of environmental pressures on the gut colonization and infection processes of a strict anaerobic bacterium. CD, which is exposed to O2 tension fluctuations in the gut and to ROS during inflammation, has developed specific detoxification processes (Kint et al, mBio, 2020).
The recruited candidate will integrate the Difox project. The main objectives of the Difox project are i) the study of factors contributing to detoxification following oxidative stress and their role in conditions mimicking the steps of the infectious cycle of CD, ii) the in vivo study of the influence of intestinal microenvironments in colonization, localization of CD and host response iii) the role of adaptation to low O2 tension and ROS on virulence factor production and the identification of associated regulatory network(s).
The Post-doc will benefit from state-of-the-art technological platforms and highly dynamic and multidisciplinary scientific environment and of the skills of our partners in animal model and immune response (Team BaPS, MicaLis) and in virulence control by hypoxia in the gut and the importance of neutrophils (Team PIBI, IBMC-Strasbourg).
Profile
We are looking for highly motivated, talented and rigorous candidate. The applicants must have a PhD in biological science and are expected to have a strong background in microbiology. Experience in animal model, cellular culture or histology is not required but would be a plus. Good communication skills are required.
Application
Please send a cover letter summarizing your past-experience and research interests and a CV including the names and contact information of references via email to:
Isabelle Martin-Verstraete (isabelle.martin-verstraete@pasteur.fr).