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EURAXESS

POST-DOCTORAL POSITION IN NEUROBIOLOGY at LYON - FRANCE

INSERM The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers
25 Jan 2023

Job Information

Organisation/Company
INSERM
Department
Departement des Ressources Humaines
Research Field
Neurosciences » Neurobiology
Researcher Profile
Recognised Researcher (R2)
Country
France
Application Deadline
Type of Contract
Temporary
Job Status
Full-time
Hours Per Week
38h30
Offer Starting Date
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Not funded by an EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No

Offer Description

A post-doctoral position is available in Lyon, in the context of the recently awarded National Referral Center for Rare Inflammatory Disorders of the brain and the spinal cord (MIRCEM). The landscape of inflammatory demyelinating disorders of the central nervous system has changed in the last few years, opening new challenges. Besides multiple sclerosis (MS), rare antibody-mediated demyelinating diseases, such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) have emerged. NMOSD is a severe condition, characterized by specific auto- antibody (Ab) directed against astrocyte-ependyma/aquaporin-4 protein. More recently, a new entity, delineated by the presence of Ab against the myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), has been characterized. Although MOG-Ab disease (MOGAD) shares clinical features with NMOSD, recent epidemiological and clinical data, as well as immunological and pathological studies, have clearly demonstrated that MOGAD is an independent entity, different from MS and NMOSD.

The Lyon laboratory is a well-established international referral center (located at the Lyon Neurocampus building of CRNL) specialized in both: i) optimization of Ab detection methods for NMO, MOGAD and related disorders, and; ii) translating the immunopathogenicity of autoantibodies directed against glial cells into clinical practice.

The project proposed here aims at assessing the pathogenic effect of human antibodies against MOG, using original models already available in the laboratory (see project description below). Our research team is seeking a highly qualified motivated neurobiologist to fill a Post- Doctoral Fellowship position in the area of antibody-mediated neuro-inflammation.

Mentoring and Environment : The project will combine in vivo (pre-clinical animal model) and in vitro (glial primary cultures, myelinating cultures) models of antibody-mediated neuro-inflammation, with proteomic analysis as well as immune characterization. Materials: in-vivo surgery and in-vivo imaging, glial cell cultures, microscopy, FACS, cytology/histology

The candidate will benefit from all facilities provided by
- the Lyon Neurosciences Research Center -CRNL (cell culture L2, microscopy, FACS, animal/in vivo facilities) with post-Doc, researchers and engineer expert in the field
- the Lyon Neurological Hospital (database, statistical support) and biobank (CSF, serum biosamples from patients), and the clinical experience of expert neurologists.
He/She will be expected to develop translational studies in available pre-clinical models and develop ad-hoc in vitro experiments.

 

APPLICATION AND CONTACT

The position is open immediately for a starting date expected on April 2023.

Deadline for submission: Friday 27th January 2023

This is a one-year renewable position with a salary evaluated 2620€-3962€/months, according to previous experience.
Application file should include:
• CV

• Letter of intent
• Names and addresses of two references
For more information or to apply for the position (including an up-to-date CV and motivation letter), please contact: Dr Romain Marignier romain.marignier@chu-lyon.fr, and Anne Ruiz anne.ruiz@inserm.fr

PROJECT SYNOPSIS

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is a central nervous system (CNS) myelin component expressed on the outer lamella of the myelin sheath. While MOG has been controversially discussed as a putative autoantigen in autoimmune CNS demyelinating diseases for decades, it is a well-known antigenic target in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model. Recent emergence of conformation-dependent assays for the detection of MOG-antibodies (Ab) has depicted a distinct phenotype of adults and children with CNS demyelination, presenting with a usually relapsing disease course.

Physiopathology of MOGAD is not yet fully understood, but there are accumulating evidences suggesting that apart from neuro-inflammation, there is a direct pathogenic effect of MOG- Ab on myelin, leading to further neurological impairment.
Our study project aims at better understanding the pathogenic role of human MOG antibodies, per se, in absence of inflammatory environment. We have already used this paradigm in investigating AQP4-Ab mediated NMOSD, and demonstrated that autoantibodies directed against membrane protein induce structural and functional change of the targeted cell (Richard et al., Brain 2020; Bigotte et al., Brain Communications 2022).

The main objectives of the project are:

1) Evaluation of the binding capacities of MOG-Ab on various murine tissue, including retina and optic nerve, and different cell-based assays
2) Deciphering in vitro the Impact of MOG-Ab exposure on various glial cell cultures, including oligodendrocyte cultures, myelinating cultures

3) Deciphering in vivo the Effect of MOG-Ab exposure (intracerebral infusion) on mouse model: multiparametric assessment (myelin/ neural/ ependymal histology, electrophysiology, motor behavior)

Requirements

Research Field
Neurosciences » Neurobiology
Education Level
PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in neurobiology
• Excellent communication skills
• Willing to work in a rich clinical and multidisciplinary environment

Languages
ENGLISH

Additional Information

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
Centre de Recherche Neurosciences Lyon
Country
France
City
Lyon / Bron
Postal Code
69500
Street
Neurocampus, 95 Bd Pinel, 69500 Bron
Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail
anne.ruiz@inserm.fr

Contact

City
Lyon
Website