Missions

The candidate (M/F) will work in the frame of the ANR-funded project PlantVirImmune. PlantVIrImmune aims to uncover the mechanisms of protein-mediated antiviral immunity (“pattern-triggered immunity”, PTI) triggered by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), an intermediate of viral replication. Upon perception by a yet unknown pathogen recognition receptor (PRR), dsRNA elicits hallmark responses of PTI, including callose deposition at the plasmodesmata (PD) leading to PD closure, thereby constraining virus cell-to-cell movement. Unlike antiviral RNA silencing, which is also activated by viral dsRNA and targets viral RNA for degradation, the PTI response is nucleotide sequence-independent and triggered also by other dsRNA molecules, for example by exogenous treatment of plants with poly(I:C) (Niehl et al., 2016, New Phytol 211, 1008-1019; Huang et al., 2023, Plant Cell 35, 3845-3869). PD closure and antiviral immunity depend on the plasma membrane-localised PRR coreceptor SERK1 and downstream SERK1-dependent signalling, further supporting a role for a PM-localised receptor complex in dsRNA perception and signalling.
In the center of this project stands the observation that the movement protein (MP) of tobacco mosaic virus and the MPs of several other tobamoviruses suppress dsRNA-induced callose deposition at the PD (Huang et al., 2023, Plant Cell 35, 3845-3869). Taken together, these and other unpublished data support the hypothesis that viral MPs promote virus spread by interfering with plasma membrane-resident receptor kinase complexes that restrict virus movement by sensing dsRNA and leading to callose deposition and PD closure. The postdoctoral candidate will investigate how viral dsRNA produced in cytoplasmic virus replication complexes could be sensed in the apoplasm and how MPs could act to inhibit dsRNA sensing or downstream processes to facilitate virus spread.
The major missions are:
- to investigate the signaling pathway triggered by dsRNA
- to investigate the mechanism through which viral movement proteins interfere with this signaling

Activities

Primary tasks:
- Determine the role of signaling pathway components in antiviral defense
- Application of in vivo and in vitro biomolecular and bioimaging methods to investigate a specific MP-interacting factor and its role in the MP-mediated suppression of PTI
- Application of in vivo and in vitro biomolecular and bioimaging methods to investigate the dynamics of the dsRNA perceiving receptor complex at the plasma membrane
- Examine the presence of viral products (dsRNA, MP) in the apoplastic space of virus-infected plant tissues

Secondary tasks :
- Supervision of PhD and Master students
- Collaboration and discussion of research results with the team members as well as with the project partner and partner team
- Communication of research results (seminars, publications, databases, larger public)

Skills

- PhD in plant biology and excellent academic record
- Strong background in plant molecular biology and cell biology
- Specific experience in virology, RNA biology, protein biochemistry, and bioinformatics
- Ability to conceive, execute, and complete research projects
- Ability to design experiments and evaluate results independently and creatively
- Ability to observe sanitary measures in working with plant viruses
- Excellent written and verbal communication skill in English
- Competence to collaborate and work in a team
- Competence of scientific supervision of students
- Competence for presenting research results in scientific meetings and congresses
- Ability to travel and for mobility exchanges within Europe and with the USA
- English proficiency level: B2–C2
-

Work Context

The Institute of Plant Molecular Biology (IBMP; http://www.ibmp.cnrs.fr/?lang=en) hosts 19 research teams and is the largest CNRS research institute in plant science in France. It is associated with the University of Strasbourg and the Doctoral School of Life and Health Sciences. The institute is recognized for its expertise in plant virology, genomics, genetics, metabolism, biochemistry, cell biology and molecular physiology. It is equipped with high-end technology platforms staffed for plant production, DNA sequencing and digital qPCR, bioinformatics, proteomics, microscopy, protein production and metabolomics.
The candidate (M/F) will work in the team of Manfred Heinlein, an internationally renowned scientist interested in identifying the molecular mechanisms of viral movement and antiviral defense in plants and in designing new approaches for crop protection.
The IBMP is easily accessible by public transport and uIts members have access to on-site restaurants at the University.

Constraints and risks

The project may involve work with radioactive probes.