Call for expressions of interest for the submission of Marie Sklodowska Curie proposals in cellular diversity in the embryonic brain

Our aim is to understand how neuronal diversity is generated during embryonic development and to provide a holistic view of how cell fate decisions are taken in the brain. During brain development, progenitor cells balance proliferation and differentiation to generate an enormous diversity of neurons in the correct numbers and proportions. Addressing this has been technically challenging to date; no in vitro system can recapitulate this in vivo process, which involves an orchestrated extraordinary displacement of neurons from their birth site and complex tissue morphogenetic movements upon time. We will now incorporate time as the missing yet crucial factor to understand how the different neuronal subtypes are provided to refine the final number of neurons within the hindbrain functional circuits.

The fellow will work in Pujades’ lab at Department of Experimental and Health Sciences (DCEXS, https://www.upf.edu/web/pujadeslab ) that is located within the PRBB, a vibrant research park harboring several research institutions.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:

We are seeking for highly motivated and enthusiastic candidates with experience in molecular biology, imaging, and developmental biology. Experience on nervous system development will be an advantage. The candidate should be able to work rigorously and independently, and contribute actively to the development of the research project. Fluency in English (spoken and written) is expected.

The fellow will benefit from working in a very dynamic group at a university department that recently received the Maria de Maetzu Award for their scientific excellence.

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Cristina Pujades for more information. To apply, send a letter of interest, CV and contact details of 2 referees to cristina.pujades@upf.edu

For knowing more about the lab topics see some of our recent publications:

Blanc, M, Udina, F, Pujades, C. The 3D-atlas builder: a dynamic and expandable 3D-

tool for monitoring the changes in the neuronal differentiation domain during hindbrain

morphogenesis. bioRxiv 2021.03.29.437592

Voltes, A, Hevia, CF, Engel-Pizcueta, C, Dingare, C, Calzolari, S, Terriente, J, Norden,

C, Lecaudey, S, Pujades, C. Yap/Taz-TEAD activity links mechanical cues to specific to cell

progenitor behavior during hindbrain segmentation, Development Jul 22; 146(14): dev176735,

2019;

Letelier, J, Terriente, J, Voltes, A, Belzunce, I, Undurraga, C, Polvillo, R, Devos, L,

Tena, J, Maeso, I, Retaux, S, Gomez-Skarmeta, JL, Martinez-Morales, JR, Pujades, C. The

evolutionary emergence of the rac3b/rfng/sgca regulatory cluster refined mechanisms for

hindbrain boundaries formation. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA Apr 17; 115(16):E3731-E3740, 2018;

Dyballa, S, Savy, T, Germann , P, Mikuls, K, Remesikova, M, Spir, R, Zecca, A,

Peyrieras, N, Pujades, C. Distribution of neurosensory progenitor pools during inner ear

morphogenesis unveiled by cell lineage reconstruction. eLife Jan 4; 6:e22268, 2017;

Calzolari, S, Terriente, J, Pujades, C. Cell segregation in the vertebrate hindbrain

relies on actomyosin cables located at the interhombomeric boundaries. EMBO J Apr

1;33(7):686-701, 2014;