Description du sujet de thèse

Cell growth and proliferation are central to all living species. However, in challenging environments, eukaryotic cells can also exit their division cycle and enter a widespread non-dividing state known as quiescence. Quiescence is observed in a broad range of cell types and species and it is characterized by extensive alterations in virtually all aspects of cell biology. Importantly, quiescence is directly linked to the phenomenon of chronological aging. Thus, cellular lifespan is defined by the time during which quiescent cells can retain their capacity to resume growth if re-exposed to favorable conditions. While this process is critical to both normal and pathological contexts, how chronological aging is regulated and shaped by the changes that are inherent to the quiescent state remains poorly understood.

The proposed project will build on preliminary data from the team suggesting that the intracellular physical properties of quiescent cells, referred to as intracellular fluidity, play a key role in determining the physiology of aging. Taking advantage of an interdisciplinary approach, combining new imaging methods to quantify cytoplasmic and nuclear biophysics with advanced genomic and proteomic approaches, the recruited candidate will explore how changes in intracellular fluidity impact core physiological processes, with implication for cellular aging. This research will be based on unique fission yeast models that were developed in the team, together with state-of-the-art methods at the frontier of biology and biophysics. Our findings will provide novel insight into the way the physical chemistry of the cells impacts their physiological behavior in changing environments and will help us better understand the mechanisms of cellular aging.
We are seeking applicants with a strong interest in fundamental discovery research and a solid training in genetics, molecular biology, and cell biology. Candidates must have experience in working with fission yeast as a model organism as well as expertise in live-cell imaging (confocal and widefield) and image analysis. In particular, we are seeking candidates who have previously used single particle tracking methods at different scales to monitor the properties of the intracellular space and can show a significant degree of independence in applying these approaches. A significant theoretical background in alternative strategies that allow for the analysis of different aspects of cytoplasmic and nuclear “fluidity” will be a strong advantage for conducting this research. A good level of written and spoken English is required, as all meetings and discussions in the team are held in English.
The person recruited will be responsible for carrying out his/her research project within the host team, in order to obtain the results required to defend a PhD.

Contexte de travail

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.
The thesis research 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.