A post-doctoral fellowship position (2 years) is available in the group of Laurent KREMER at the Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier, France
Starting January 2020
Project:
Mycobacterium abscessus is a rapidly growing mycobacterium increasingly acknowledged as a serious non-tuberculous mycobacterial pathogen. Recent studies indicate that complex lipids unique to M. abscessus can act as potent immuno-modulators, playing key roles in virulence and conditioning the outcome of the infection. M. abscessus, therefore, represents a biologically relevant species for the discovery of new lipids which, together with the elucidation of their biosynthetic/transport pathways, would further enlighten cell wall assembly and allow appreciation for how these unique lipids benefit mycobacteria to manipulate the host response. Our consortium, funded by the National Research Agency, is made of four specialized research partners in mycobacteriology, bacterial genetics, lipid biochemistry and cell biology. In strong partnership with these teams, the selected candidate will i) generate and study the phenotypes of lipid-defective M. abscessus mutant strains, ii) analyze the contribution of these lipids in M. abscessus virulence in macrophages and zebrafish, iii) investigate the ability of the purified lipids to modulate the early host response.
Candidate:
We are seeking a highly motivated and hard-working candidate with a strong background in mycobacterial genetics and/or in zebrafish microinjection and manipulation who is interested in working in a dynamic group environment. We offer a rich multidisciplinary environment, as well as access to different experimental approaches through our labs and core facilities to ensure the successful development of the research.
Application:
Interested candidates should send a CV including a list of publications, a letter of motivation and the names of 2-3 potential references to Laurent Kremer (laurent.kremer@irim.cnrs.fr) and should register to the CNRS portal: http://bit.ly/2J8Jvzf
http://www.irim.cnrs.fr/index.php/en/researchh/teams/mycobacterial-pathogenesis-and-novel-therapeutic-targets
Related publications from the lab:
A. Bernut et al. 2019. CFTR protects against Mycobacterium abscessus infection by fine-tuning host oxidative defences. Cell Rep. 26: 1828-1840.
V. Dubois et al. 2018. MmpL8MAB controls Mycobacterium abscessus virulence and production of a previously unknown glycolipid family. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 115: E10147-E10156.
A. Bernut et al. 2016. Mycobacterium abscessus-induced granuloma formation is strictly dependent on TNF signaling and neutrophil trafficking. PLOS Pathog. 12: e1005986.
I. Halloum et al. 2016. Deletion of a dehydratase important for intracellular growth and cording renders rough Mycobacterium abscessus avirulent. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA. 113: E4228-4237.
A. Bernut et al. 2014. Mycobacterium abscessus cording prevents phagocytosis and promotes abscess formation. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA. 111: E943-952.
