Missions

The Post-doctoral Research Associate will work on ANR-funded project, which aims at unravelling the molecular mechanisms of action of the PilC/PilY1 protein, a key player in type 4 pilus biology found at the pilus tip in hundreds of bacterial species. It is known that PilC/PilY1 localizes at the tip of T4aP– where it interacts with a PilHIJK complex of four minor pilins. We produced a structural model revealing how PilC/PilY1 interacts with PilK. Our aim is to test this model to explain how PilC/PilY1 localizes at the pilus tip, why it is required for piliation and how it acts as an adhesin and a mechanosensor. The overarching aim of this proposal is to perform a detailed structure/function analysis of PilC/PilY1 – using Neisseria meningitidis as a model – to address these important questions. These results will have implications for hundreds of bacterial species and might have, in the longer run, practical implications in human health.

Activités

The research performed by the Post-doctoral Research Associate will lead to a structure/function analysis explaining how PilC/PilY1 is presented at the tip of T4P and why it is required for piliation. Experiments will include (but might not be limited to):
• Determining how PilC/PilY1 interacts with PilK using NMR spectroscopy
• Characterizing the interaction using the interaction between PilC/PilY1 and PilK using real-time quantitative methods (e.g. BLI, SPR).
• Determine how this interaction affects PilK stability.
• Strengthen the model by performing molecular genetics studies in Neisseria meningitidis.
The Post-doctoral Research Associate will be presenting results orally to supervisor (Dr. Vladimir Pelicic), our collaborators, and to the research community.

Compétences

The Post-doctoral Research Associate is expected to have good analytical, writing and presentation skills. Prior research experience is requested in:
• Working with bacterial pathogens
• Molecular genetics of bacteria
• Protein purification
• Structural biology

Contexte de travail

The candidate will work at UMR 7283, the Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne located on the Joseph Aiguier campus in Marseille's 9th arrondissement.
The LCB comprises 100 staff divided into 14 teams and 3 shared services.
The agent will work in a six-person team comprising an INSERM research director, a CNRS research director, a CNRS researcher, a CNRS technician and two PhD students.