Postdoctoral position on Energy metabolism in stem cells
Posted by Martine Simonelig, on 19 January 2023
Location: Institute of Human Genetics, Montpellier, France
Closing Date: 1 June 2023
Project: Energy metabolism and metabolic reprogramming are an important aspect of stem cell biology. However the molecular mechanisms governing this reprogramming are poorly understood. We have identified a role of a specific class of small non-coding RNAs, the piRNAs (Piwi-interacting RNAs) and their interacting PIWI proteins in the regulation of energy metabolism in germline stem cells (GSCs) in the Drosophila ovary. piRNAs and PIWI proteins are present in various populations of adult stem cells and are thought to be part of an ancestral gene repertoire of stemness. The project will use Drosophila GSCs as a model system to study the role of piRNAs and PIWI proteins as key regulators of metabolic remodeling in stem cells. This project addresses innovative questions concerning the emerging roles of piRNAs in mRNA regulation, the regulation of energy metabolism by small non-coding RNAs, and the impact of this regulation in stem cell biology.
Environment: The Institute of Human Genetics provides a stimulating international research environment; it is fully endowed with state-of-the-art scientific equipment and has direct access to cutting-edge facilities. The Institute is located in Montpellier, a dynamic international city in the South of France.
https://www.igh.cnrs.fr/en/
Application: We are looking for a motivated candidate with strong expertise in Drosophila genetics, RNA biology, and/or imaging. Candidates should apply by sending a CV, a short outline of current projects, and contact information of two to three referees to Martine Simonelig.
Expected starting date of the contract: Spring 2023. Position for up to 3 years.
Selected publications related to the project:
– Ramat, Simonelig. Activating translation with phase separation (2022) Science, 377, 712-713
– Wang X, Ramat A, Simonelig M, Liu MF. Emerging roles and functional mechanisms of PIWI-interacting RNAs (2022) Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, doi: 10.1038/s41580-022-00528-0
– Ramat, Simonelig. Functions of PIWI Proteins in Gene Regulation: New Arrows Added to the piRNA Quiver (2021) Trends in Genetics, 37, 188-200
– Ramat, Garcia-Silva, Jahan, Naït-Saïdi, Dufourt, Garret, Chartier, Cremaschi, Patel, Decourcelle, Bastide, Juge, Simonelig. The PIWI protein Aubergine recruits eIF3 to activate translation in the germ plasm (2020) Cell Research, 5, 421-435
– Rojas-Rios, Simonelig. piRNAs and PIWI proteins: regulators of gene expression in development and stem cells (2018) Development, 145, dev161786
– Rojas-Rios, Chartier, Pierson, Simonelig. Aubergine and piRNAs promote germline stem cell self-renewal by repressing the proto-oncogene Cbl (2017) EMBO Journal, 36, 3194-3211
Contact: Martine Simonelig
mRNA Regulation and Development
Department Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
Institute of Human Genetics, Montpellier, France
Martine.Simonelig@igh.cnrs.fr
https://www.igh.cnrs.fr/fr/recherche/departements/genetique-et-developpement/regulation-des-arnm-et-developpement
Closing Date: 1 June 2023
Scientific fields: Stem cells, Cell fate control and differentiation, Gene regulation, Metabolism and physiology
Model systems: Drosophila
Duration: Fixed term
Minimum qualifications: PhD