PhD IN BIOLOGY : Impact of the tubulin code on the regulation and function of microtubule-actin crosslinking proteins (M/F)

Job Description

Thesis Subject

Microtubules (MTs) and actin filaments are cytoskeletal fibres whose macromolecular networks are connected by MT-actin crosslinking proteins. This crosstalk plays a crucial role in essential cellular processes such as cell migration or cell division. The tubulin code, which englobes different tubulin isotypes and their post-translational modifications, is emerging as a regulator of MT functions. Cell-free experiments demonstrate that selected MT-associated proteins are influenced by tubulin post-translational modifications, which is expected to control the organisation of the cytoskeleton. So far, however, the impact of the tubulin code on cytoskeletal crosstalk has not been addressed.
This PhD project will investigate how the tubulin code controls the interactions between MTs and actin filaments mediated by MT-actin crosslinking proteins, how this influences the organisation of the MT-actin cytoskeleton within various cell types, and how perturbations in this regulation impact the cytoskeletal architecture both in vitro and in cells. Different techniques will be applied to study the organization of the MT-actin cytoskeleton, such as in vitro reconstitution TIRF microscopy assays, live-cell imaging, and expansion and super-resolution microscopy. By deciphering the regulation of MT-actin crosstalk by the tubulin code, this project will shed light on regulatory mechanisms of cytoskeletal crosstalk, and their impact on healthy and diseased cells.

Your Work Environment

The student will be directly supervised by Carsten Janke and a post-doc expert in the in-vitro reconstitution approaches. A thesis committee will be held every year. The student will be in close interaction with other members of the Janke team, and with collaborators. They will regulatory present her work in lab meetings, as well as in our department seminars.
This project will be carried out in the Institut Curie, and the student will have free access to all available core facilities and technology platforms in Orsay and Paris. For this project in particular, we will use the imaging facility, transgenic mouse facility, and the L3 laboratory. All equipment and technology needed for this project is in place, and the methodology is firmly established in our team.
Our team has received diverse funding including from the ERC that will fully cover the expenses of the planned research throughout the entire period of the thesis.
The laboratory collaborates with several established international collaboration in Europe and elsewhere. The student will have the opportunity to participate in international conferences and workshops. Students in our team usually participate in at least one international conference per year.

Constraints and risks

None

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2300 € gross monthly

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

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