A funded postdoctoral position is available in the Biology of Infection Unit directed by Marc Lecuit at Institut Pasteur, Paris-F. The Lecuit lab develops cutting edge research aimed at understanding the molecular mechanisms of microbial interactions with host cells and tissues.
Project outline: Macrophages are innate immune cells which act as sentinels by sensing their environment. Several microbial pathogens including viruses and bacteria target, survive and replicate within macrophages. Listeria monocytogenes, the causative agent of listeriosis, is one of these intracellular bacteria and a well-established model microorganism to study the pathophysiology of infections and immune responses. Listeria monocytogenes and macrophages have coevolved and established a complex network of interactions. The aim of this project is to study the crosstalk between Listeria monocytogenes and macrophages in different tissues including the gut, liver and brain, which are all targeted by Listeria monocytogenes during infection. This project will contribute critical advance to infection and macrophage biology. It will lead to a better characterization of the mechanisms underlying the transition between homeostasis, inflammation and tolerance.
Candidate requirements: The candidate must have a PhD or/and MD degree. Applicants should have a strong background in either immunology, cell/tissue biology, microbiology, or imaging and be highly motivated and ambitious. Technical expertise in molecular biology and biochemistry is highly recommended. Candidates should be fluent in English.
Applicants should send their CV, addresses of two referees and a cover letter describing their background and motivations to: biu@pasteur.fr
See more at: http://www.pasteur.fr/research/biu
Relevant publications:
– Maury MM, Tsai YH, Charlier C, Touchon M, Chenal-Francisque V, Leclercq A, Criscuolo A, Gaultier C, Roussel S, Brisabois A, Disson O, Rocha EP, Brisse S, Lecuit M. Uncovering Listeria monocytogenes hypervirulence by harnessing its biodiversity. Nat Genet. 2016;48(3):308-13.
– Blériot C, Dupuis T, Jouvion G, Eberl G, Disson O, Lecuit M. Liver-Resident Macrophage Necroptosis Orchestrates Type 1 Microbicidal Inflammation and Type-2-Mediated Tissue Repair during Bacterial Infection. Immunity. 2015; 42(1):145-58.
– Gessain G, Tsai YH, Travier L, Bonazzi M, Grayo S, Cossart P, Charlier C, Disson O, Lecuit M. PI3-kinase activation is critical for host barrier permissivenes to Listeria monocytogenes. J Exp Med. 2015;212(2):165-83.
– Disson O, Grayo S, Huillet E, Nikitas G, Langa-Vives F, Dussurget O, Ragon M, Le Monnier A, Babinet C, Cossart P, Lecuit M. Conjugated action of two species-specific invasion proteins for fetoplacental listeriosis. Nature 2008;455(7216):1114-8
Keywords: Listeria monocytogenes, Macrophages, Immune response, Tissue biology