Post-doctoral position – repetitive DNA in somatic tissue homeostasis (I2BC, Paris-Saclay)

Project:

Our team (https://www.i2bc.paris-saclay.fr/nuclear-dynamics-and-repetitive-dna-in…) is interested in the role that non-genic, repetitive DNA sequences play in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis in somatic tissues. A post-doctoral candidate will develop a project within a framework of an ERC-funded research program, which aims to illuminate modes of regulation and impact of transposable element (TE) sequences in the soma. TEs are omnipresent, self-propagating DNA sequences. Although most TE copies remain silenced in somatic cells, some are transcribed and a fraction retains the ability to mobilize through copy-an-paste mechanisms. TEs were demonstrated to contribute to normal development, but also to aging, and certain pathological conditions, such as cancer or neurodegenerative diseases.

Our primary model system is the Drosophila midgut, a self-renewing tissue maintained by a population of adult intestinal stem cells. We combine diverse techniques, such as Drosophila genetics, CRISPR/Cas9 genome/epigenome editing, microscopy, physiological assays, molecular biology and genomics (including short- and long-read sequencing).

Position:

Post-doctoral funding is available for up to 3 years. Starting date is flexible (from June 2023).

Environment:

You will join a young, ATIP-Avenir-labeled and ERC Starting Grant-funded team, with permanent staff assisting in the implementation of the project. We are located in the Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (https://www.i2bc.paris-saclay.fr/research/) in Gif-sur-Yvette, within a large CNRS/University Paris-Saclay science campus, in the south suburbs of Paris. The I2BC and the campus offer direct access to excellent facilities, training options, as well as support for international researchers (https://www.universite-paris-saclay.fr/en/research/themes-and-organisat…). The campus is conveniently connected to Paris, with its great scientific community and cultural life. The team members are encouraged to participate in national and/or international meetings.

Key publications:

• Van den Beek M, Rubanova N, Siudeja K. Experimental Approaches to Study Somatic Transposition in Drosophila Using Whole-Genome DNA Sequencing. Methods Mol Biol. 2023;2607:311-327.
• Siudeja K, van den Beek M, Riddiford N, (…), Bardin AJ. Unravelling the features of somatic transposition in the Drosophila intestine. The EMBO Journal. 26 févr 2021;n/a(n/a):e106388.
• Riddiford N, Siudeja K, van den Beek M, (…), Bardin AJ. Evolution and genomic signatures of spontaneous somatic mutation in Drosophila intestinal stem cells. Genome Res. 24 juin 2021;gr.268441.120.
• Siudeja K, Nassari S, Gervais L, (…), Bardin AJ. Frequent Somatic Mutation in Adult Intestinal Stem Cells Drives Neoplasia and Genetic Mosaicism during Aging. Cell Stem Cell. 3 déc 2015;17(6):663‑74