Postdoc position at the Pasteur Institute (Paris)

 dans Offre de Post-Doc par

Postdoc Position : Characterization of a new complex involved in the degradation of cytoplasmic transcripts

Location:  Institut Pasteur, Paris
Laboratory: Génétique des Interactions Macromoléculaires Application for two years funded by ANR
Start the 1st of January, 2018.

Description of the project

Cellular mRNAs are subjected to a balance between synthesis and degradation, which determines the shape of the transcriptome and greatly participates to protein homeostasis. In addition to the general degradation pathways, which ensure the turnover of each mRNA, a number of quality control mechanisms target aberrant RNAs for degradation. mRNA turnover has been shown to occur co-translationally, mainly by the Xrn1-dependent 5’ to 3’ degradation pathway. It also involves, although to a lesser extent, the exosome/SKI- dependent 3’ to 5’ pathway. We recently showed that the SKI complex directly interacts with ribosomes and that this interaction takes place during the general 3’ to 5’ mRNA degradation pathway. This seems paradoxical because the SKI complex was previously shown to be required for the efficient degradation of mRNA 3’UTRs, mainly devoid of ribosomes. Recently, we characterized, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a new complex involved in the degradation of the ribosomes-free RNA 3’UTRs and cytoplasmic lncRNAs such as XUTs and SUTs. We propose a model to describe the role of this complex. The main aim of this project is to test our working model using genetics, biochemical, functional and structural approaches. The structural approach will be performed in collaboration with the Roland Beckmann team, in Munich, specialized in the cryo-EM structure determination.

Qualifications and experiences

Candidates should have a PhD degree in Life Sciences. He/She must have a good knowledge of molecular biology, genetics and biochemistry. Experience with yeast and bioinformatics skills would be an asset. High motivation and a good ability to work independently as well as within a team environment are required.

Contact

If you are interested in this position, please send :

  • Your CV
  • A letter of motivation

to Micheline Fromont-Racine (mfromont@pasteur.fr).

This position is funded by the ANR and could start the 1st of January, 2018.