Post-doctoral position in membrane trafficking, cell adhesion and mechanobiology (M/F)

Membrane contact sites (MCS) are sites of close apposition between the ER and other organelles and serve as platforms for lipid and calcium exchange. Despite the growing knowledge of the molecular composition of MCS, their roles in patho-physiological processes are less understood. We have recently discovered that VAPA, an ER-resident MCS tether, plays a key role in cancer cell motility and cell-matrix adhesion. We now intend to define precisely how lipid exchange taking place at VAPA-mediated MCS controls cell-matrix adhesion dynamics and mechano-sensing.

The project is at the interface of cell biology and biophysics, and necessitates the use of state-of-the-art approaches, including high-resolution microscopy, traction force measurements, FRET sensors and optogenetic tools.
The candidate will take part in research strategy definition, will conduct experiments, perform analysis and contribute to research communication.

The project is led by Mélina Heuzé, associate professor in the group of J-M Verbavatz and C Jackson at Institut Jacques Monod, Paris. The researcher will work in collaboration with the group of B Ladoux and R-M Mège at IJM.
The institute will provide all the resources and equipments needed for the project. The researcher will work in a dynamic and fulfilling scientific environment.
Selection of publications from the hosting group:
Heuzé ML, Sankara Narayana GHN, D'Alessandro J, Cellerin V, Dang T, Williams DS, Van Hest JC, Marcq P, Mège RM, Ladoux B. Myosin II isoforms play distinct roles in adherens junction biogenesis. Elife. 2019 Sep 5;8.
Heuzé ML, Chabaud M, Bretou M, Vargas P, Maiuri P, Solanes P, Maurin M, Terriac E, Le berre M, Lankar D, Piolot T, Adelstein RS, Zhang Y, Sixt M, Jacobelli J, Bénichou O, Voituriez R, Piel M and Lennon-Duménil AM. Cell Migration and antigen capture are antagonistic processes coupled by Myosin II in dendritic cells. Nature communications. 2015, 6 : 7526.
Walch L, Pellier E, Leng W, Lakisic G, Gautreau A, Contremoulins V, Verbavatz JM, Jackson CL. GBF1 and Arf1 interact with Miro and regulate mitochondrial positioning within cells. Scientific Reports. 2018 Nov 20;8(1):17121.
Jackson CL, Walch L, Verbavatz JM. Lipids and Their Trafficking: An Integral Part of Cellular Organization. Developmental Cell. 2016 Oct 24;39(2):139-153.