Postdoctoral Position in the Field of Molecular Immunology
The Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC) in Strasbourg, France, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Position in the Laboratory of Dr. Bernardo Reina-San-Martin. The IGBMC is one of the leading European centers of biomedical research. The institute provides access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and platforms, including transgenesis, next generation sequencing, mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, imaging, high-throughput screening, etc.
The Reina lab is seeking a highly motivated and experienced postdoctoral fellow to study the molecular mechanisms driving B cell receptor diversification during immune responses, with a particular focus on immunoglobulin class switch recombination (CSR). CSR modulates antibody effector functions by replacing the isotype expressed (from IgM to IgG, IgA or IgE) through a DNA recombination reaction (occurring at the IgH locus) that requires double stranded DNA break (DSBs)
intermediates induced by activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID). These DSBs activate DNA damage response proteins to promote appropriate repair and long-range recombination. While on-target lesions are crucial for antibody diversification, off-target lesions contribute to malignant cell transformation and AID has been implicated in the initiation of cancer. Despite the significant potential of AID to inflict collateral DNA damage, most B cells expressing AID do not suffer widespread mutation or chromosome instability. Therefore, it appears that specific regulatory mechanisms actively restrict AID’s oncogenic potential. The selected postdoctoral fellow will build on the expertise of the lab, in particular in genome editing using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, to investigate the molecular mechanisms that control the function of AID during CSR and that limit its oncogenic potential.
Applicants should have a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree with at least 3 years of proven research experience in Molecular Biology, Immunology or Biochemistry. Candidates should have a good publication record and should be fluent in English. Good communication skills (oral and written) and the ability to work in a team are essential.
Applications should be addressed by e-mail to Dr. Bernardo Reina-San-Martin and include a curriculum vitae with a short statement of research interests and the contact information of at least two referees.
Bernardo REINA-SAN-MARTIN, Ph.D.
http://www.igbmc.fr/research/department/1/team/24/
Email: reinab@igbmc.fr
Full description of the advertised position available here.