Missions

The person recruited will be responsible for carrying out his/her research project within the host team.

Activités

Regulation of cell size is central to the biology of living cells in both normal and pathological contexts. Volume and surface area not only define how cells interact with their environment but also dictate their intracellular chemistry and organisation. Moreover, heterogeneity in cell size is a hallmark of tumours and has often been used as a diagnostic marker for cancer. While many studies have investigated short-term cell size control, the potential link between cell volume and long-term adaptation remains surprisingly unknown. Using a synthetic biology approach and experimental evolution in fission yeast, we recently demonstrated that the initial volume of a cell can be a determinant of its evolutionary trajectory in challenging conditions. Indeed, we observed size-specificity in the adaptation process at the phenotypic, genetic and mechanistic levels. However, we still do not understand the molecular pathways by which cell size shapes cellular evolution. In fission yeast, the size of the nucleus scales with cell size, maintaining a robust nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio over a wide range of conditions. This led us to hypothesize that nuclear volume may play a role in delineating the evolutionary strategy of cells, and preliminary data using chromosome conformation capture techniques are consistent with this idea.

This project will first focus on the use of advanced methodologies to evaluate nuclear size in our models of experimental evolution. This will then allow us to decipher how processes linked to this critical parameter, from modulation of chromatin architecture to associated alterations in genome evolution and metabolism to changes in the physical properties of the nuclear space, tune the way cells adapt to their environment. Altogether, this work will represent a novel and original exploration of the determinants of cellular evolution, bridging cell morphology, genome dynamics and adaptation. Given the ubiquitous importance and diversity of cell size across species and in pathological contexts, our results will have implications for a broad range of organisms and conditions.

Compétences

We are seeking applicants with a strong interest in fundamental discovery research and a solid training in genetics, molecular biology, and cell biology. Experience in yeast genetics and live-cell imaging (confocal and widefield) as well as extensive know-how in image analysis will be an advantage. Candidates with expertise in the analysis of genomic data and in chromatin biology are also encouraged to apply. A good level of written and spoken English is required, as all meetings and discussions in the team are held in English:Level C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

Contexte de travail

The project will be carried out in the SyntheCell team directed by Dr. Damien Coudreuse at the Institute of Biochemistry and Cellular Genetics (IBGC). Research at the IBGC covers a wide range of topics in cell biology and metabolism, taking advantage of different model systems while strongly encouraging interdisciplinary approaches. The IBGC is a dynamic institute comprised of 13 teams representing around 100 international researchers. It is affiliated with the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the University of Bordeaux.
The position is a full-time job. The work will be performed in a biological research laboratory, and it may require the employee's presence after hours or during weekends. The employee will attend national or international meetings or courses and may work with collaborators based outside of Bordeaux. The employee will be subjected to the standard rules (working hours etc…) of the CNRS and UMR 5095.