Unité de Biologie du Développement et de la Reproduction
INRA 78352 Jouy-en-Josas cedex France

Position : POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP
Epigenetic reprogramming of the genome

A 24 month post-doctoral position is available starting Fall 2006 in our group working on nuclear dynamics and development, which belongs to the UMR INRA-ENVA “Developmental Biology and Reproduction”.

The project, entitled "Epigenetic reprogramming of the genome", aims at analysing the dynamics of epigenetic modifications encountered by the chromatin in early development, after natural fertilization or somatic cell nuclear transfer (cloning). Nucleolar and pericentric heterochromatin compartments will be traced, mainly by FISH and GFP-tagged proteins.

All facilities for the project (animals, embryonic micromanipulation and nuclear transfer, antibodies, confocal microscopy in live conditions, image analysis,...) are available on site.

Enthusiastic canditates, interested in the functional organization of cell nucleus and experienced in epigenetics are invited to send a CV, a letter indicating their research interest, and 2 recommendation letters before July 14th to:

Upon selection of the candidates, the final applications (see http://www.international.inra.fr/join_us) must be submitted to the approval of INRA Human Resources Department before July 31st. Reply to candidates: September 2006.

Candidature conditions

• No nationality conditions,
• To be doctor at recruitment date (French doctorate, PhD or foreign doctorate of equivalent level)
• No previous research activity in the foreseen INRA centre,
• To be available for a recruitment on October 1st, November 1st or December 1st 2006
• Monthly gross salary of 2150 €.

Recent publications of the group:

• Zatsepina O, Baly C, Chebrout M, Debey P (2003). The step-wise assembly of a functional nucleolus in preimplantation mouse embryos involves the Cajal (coiled) body. Dev. Biol. 253, 66-83.
• Beaujean N, Taylor JE, McGarry M, Gardner JO, Wilmut I, Loi P, Ptak G, Galli C, Lazzari G, Bird A, Young LE, Meehan RR (2004).The effect of interspecific oocytes on demethylation of sperm DNA. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 101: 7636-40.
• Martin C, Beaujean N, Brochard V, Audouard C, Zink D, Debey P (2006). Genome restructuring in mouse embryos during reprogramming and early development. Dev Biol. 292:317-32. Cited by Nature (20 April) in Research Highlights.
• Martin C, Brochard V, Migné C, Zink D, Debey P, Beaujean N (2006). Architectural reorganization of the nuclei upon transfer into oocytes accompanies genome reprogramming. Mol Reprod Dev. May 30 on line