Missions

The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for developing a new FCS (fluorescence correlation spectroscopy) and SPT (single-molecule tracking) microscopy tool based on the use of a SPAD array detector, improving cross-analysis methods for data, and acquiring molecular dynamics and interactions. He/she will work with a doctoral student to apply these tools to track the dynamics of proteins responsible for regulating RNAPII-dependent transcription in different cellular models. He/she will contribute to the ANR CamoMill project by developing an ARNPII diffusion-interaction model.
The postdoctoral position may be extended as part of this project.

Activities

-Cell line culture - Work on living or fixed cells labeled with fluorescence
- Measurement of molecular dynamics and interactions using FCS, SPT, and FRET microscopy.
- Instrumentation: Setting up a multiplex FCS/SPT measurement device with a multi-SPAD detector
- Designing and carrying out experimental campaigns
- Analyzing data and developing associated methods
- Contributing to the development of modeling methods - Presenting results at team meetings and conferences
- Publications

Skills

- Independence in microscopy
- Proficiency in optics
- Expertise in instrumentation
- Proficiency in image analysis techniques
- Independence and organization in work
- Ability to work in a team
- Independence in programming
- Knowledge of modeling
- Basic knowledge of cell biology
- Writing and communication skills

Work Context

The Functional Cellular Biophotonics Group (led by L. Heliot) at the Laser, Atom, and Molecule Physics Laboratory (PhLAM- Eq. DySCo) has been developing original techniques for molecular imaging in living cells using fluorescence microscopy for several years.
Our interdisciplinary group (biology, instrumentation, physics, image analysis) develops techniques to analyze and quantify molecular interactions and dynamics. Our research focuses on the study of molecular assembly dynamics within regulatory networks, from membrane signaling to gene activation. The postdoctoral fellow will work on the ANR CaMoMiLL project. This project is being carried out in collaboration with Aymeric Leray (Lab. Carnot, Dijon); Jean-Baptiste Courbot (IRIMAS, Mulhouse). The aim of this project is to study, in living cells, the dynamics and interactions of RNA polymerase II (ARNP II) and its cofactors in order to understand and model the spatiotemporal regulation of gene activation.
We have developed techniques and methods for quantifying ARNP II movement and factors at different spatial and temporal scales using fluorescence correlation microscopy (FCS), single molecule tracking (SPT), and molecular interaction measurement (FILM-FRET). Combining these measurement methods requires the development of multimode microscopes and data fusion methods. The measurements will be analyzed and then modeled using approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) approaches and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. The parameters deduced will provide us with a multi-scale quantification of the experimental data. We will study the dynamics of ARNP II under controlled or disturbed conditions (genetic mutants, RNA interference, pharmacological drugs) to understand the mechanisms of regulation and their reorganization under stress conditions, as well as the mechanisms of circadian clock regulation.
The postdoctoral fellow's mission will be: 1) To develop the SPT/FCS combination with a SPAD array detector, 2) To develop cross-analysis methods for this data in connection with dynamics modeling work, 3) To apply these techniques to ARNPII monitoring, 4) To publish and present the results at conferences.