DEADLINE: 31st August 2020
MORE INFORMATION: http://ibv.unice.fr/
Vessel Formation in Development and Disease Group
K.D. Wagner
Institut de Biologie Valrose, iBV
CNRS UMR7277 – Inserm U1091
Université Nice Sophia Antipolis
Parc Valrose
06108 Cedex 2
An ANR funded PhD position is available in the Vessel Formation in
Development and Disease group at the iBV
The role of p16-dependent cellular senescence in healthy aging
Description : Cellular senescence attracts attention as a key player contributing to organismal aging. The
accumulation of senescent cells is dramatically increased with aging, however their precise contribution to
aging-related phenotypes remains largely unclear. In collaboration with the team of D. Bulavin we showed
p16-dependent senescent cells are required for healthy aging. We used different novel inducible mouse
lines to characterise the role of p16 expressing cells in different organs. Currently, we focussed mainly on
liver. The project aims at identifying the cell repertoire linked to aging-induced senescence and to
investigate the impact of senescent cells on liver functions and to understand molecular pathways
modulated by senescence. For these purposes we will use p16-Cre and p16-Cre-ERT2 mice crossed either
with Rosa26-mTmG reporter or Rosa26-DTA ablator mice. The animals will be investigated by histological
and immunohistological methods and RNA sequencing will be performed at different ages. This project will
help to understand the molecular mechanism responsible for aging-induced activation of senescence and
hopefully identify potential molecular targets to manipulate senescence through reprogramming and/or
selective elimination of subsets of senescent cells.
Required Skills : The working language is English.