Master 2 internship in molecular biology

The Institute of Biochemistry and Cellular Genetics (IBGC) is a fundamental biological research center located in Bordeaux, France. Research at the institute covers a variety of subjects in cell biology, including cell proliferation, genome maintenance, chromosome segregation, gene expression, and cell metabolism. A diversity of model organisms is used at the institute, including S. cerevisiae, S. pombe, P. Anserina, D. melanogaster and C. elegans, as well as rodent and human models. The IBGC is located on the Campus Carreire of the University of Bordeaux and benefits from numerous platforms and services.

The majority of unicellular organisms in the wild, along with most cells in multicellular eukaryotes, exist in non-dividing states. One such G0 state is quiescence, in which cells remain metabolically active and preserve the ability to resume proliferation. Quiescent cells are found in a broad range of organisms and are crucial for development, differentiation, and the response to external challenges. The alternation between quiescence and proliferation is also crucial for the response to environmental stimuli and challenges. For instance, single-celled organisms exposed to unfavorable conditions enter and persist in G0 until induced to restart growth and division. Moreover, quiescence has emerged as an integral aspect of tumorigenesis, metastasis, and the acquisition of resistance to cancer therapies. However, while key features of the regulation of quiescence are conserved from yeast to human, we are only beginning to understand the mechanisms that maintain this particular state and promote cell cycle re-entry.

Many of the processes that underlie quiescence are shared among diverse systems, from microbes to mammals. Quiescent cells in a variety of species share numerous characteristics, including decreased cell size, altered nuclear organization, reduced protein synthesis, altered metabolic activity, increased autophagy, and enhanced stress resistance. Notably, previous studies have demonstrated that quiescent cells contain reduced overall RNA levels and that their re-entry in the division cycle is associated with major changes in gene expression. We therefore set out to probe differences in transcriptional regulation between proliferating and quiescent cells. Our recent results have identified a new and distinct mode of transcriptional regulation that is critical for the maintenance of the quiescent state. The internship project will build on this work and investigate different aspects of RNA biology in quiescence and during the return to proliferation. These studies will provide insight into the unique biology of quiescent cells as well as cellular adaptation in changing environments.

The internship project will take advantage of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe as a model system. The mechanisms and principles underlying the control of G0 entry and exit show remarkable conservation across eukaryotes, and much of our knowledge of the mechanisms that control quiescence derives from work in unicellular organisms, including fission yeast. This work will take a multidisciplinary approach, combining cutting-edge methods in genomics and bioinformatics; live-cell and high-resolution microscopy; and standard methods in yeast genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry.

We are seeking applicants with a strong interest in basic research and a solid training in genetics and molecular biology. Those with an interest in learning to use genomics approaches, in particular in carrying out and analyzing next-generation sequencing experiments, are encouraged to apply. Training will include genetics, molecular and cell biology techniques, flow cytometry, microscopy, and notions of genomic analyses. The candidate should be motivated and work well with other team members.

The student will work in an international and interactive scientific environment and present their work during lab meetings. A good level of written and spoken English is necessary, as all meetings and discussions in the team are held in English. Following the internship, the selected applicant may have the possibility of pursuing doctoral training in the group.