Team “Emergence of haematopoietic stem cells and cancer”
Teams “Biological Physics and Systems Biology”
and “Complex Systems & Nonlinear Phenomena”
CNRS-UMR5235 and CNRS-UMR5221
Université Montpellier, France.
Post-doctoral position
Hematopoietic stem cells emergence in the zebrafish embryo: mechanism and fate.
A two-year post-doctoral position funded by an ATIP-Avenir grant is available from January 2015 in the UMR5235-CNRS, at the University of Montpellier, France.
The zebrafish embryo, thanks to its transparency and the recent development of molecular tools and transgenic fluorescent reporter lines, is a relevant in vivo model to study the different steps leading to definitive haematopoiesis. Imaging of live zebrafish embryos during the first days of development showed that multipotent precursors (HSC) emerged directly from the aorta floor through a stereotyped process that involves a strong bending preceding the egress of single endothelial cells from the aortic ventral wall and their concomitant transformation into haematopoietic cells. We named this process the endothelial haematopoietic transition (EHT, Kissa & Herbomel, Nature 2010).
The aim of the project is to elucidate the molecular and biomechanical events leading to the emergence of hematopoietic stem cells in the zebrafish embryo. Previous studies suggested that shear stress resulting from blood pressure is important for HSC emergence. This project will focus on the potential relationships between pulsatile flow, aorta mechanical deformation and EHT process as a consequence of aorta constriction. The project will be done as a collaboration between Karima Kissa (Emergence of hematopoietic stem cells and cancer, UMR5235), Vladimir Lorman and Andrea Parmeggiani (Biological Physics and Systems Biology, UMR 5235 and Complex Systems & Nonlinear Phenomena, UMR5221) teams, the latter designing mathematical models of the EHT process that need to be experimentally challenged. The UMR5235 and UMR5221 laboratories are very stimulating environments to work in biology and biophysics fields.
This project includes the study of specific intracellular endothelial components with particular emphasis on junctional and cytoskeletal proteins using high-resolution 4D confocal microscopy.
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate possessing a background in cell biology, experimental biophysics and biomechanics. Autonomy, organization and communication skills are essential aptitudes in working with our research teams. The candidate should have either a PhD degree in molecular biology or in experimental biophysics or biomechanics.
Please provide CV and contact information for 2 references
karima.kissa<στο>univ-montp2.fr
vladimir.lorman<στο>univ-montp2.fr
andrea.parmeggiani<στο>univ-montp2.fr