Post-doctoral Position Opening in 2017
Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus SGG (also known as S. bovis type I) is one
of the few opportunistic bacteria, which has been unambiguously linked to colorectal cancer
(CRC). Our main goal is to determine whether colon colonization by SGG is the cause or a
consequence of CRC, and to establish whether the tumor constitutes the portal of entry of
SG into the blood, leading to bacteremia and endocarditis. We aim at answering the
following questions: Why a high prevalence of SGG in the gut of patients with CRC? Is this
bacterium a natural predator or a commensal whose colonizing properties are influenced by
particular environmental conditions? What are the colon tumor characteristics (e.g.
metabolites, microbiota composition, mucus characteristics) that can affect colonization by
SGG.
Job description
We are looking for a talented, enthusiastic and multi-skilled post-doctoral fellow
to carry out an ambitious and collaborative project (group of Shaynoor Dramsi and Unit
head by Philippe Sansonetti) just funded by the French National Institute for Cancer
(INCA) for 3 years that will take place at the Pasteur Institute in Paris.
The two main objectives are: 1) to pursue the development of a relevant murine
model to study colonization of the colon by SGG in healthy and tumor-associated
conditions. We already set up the experimental conditions for optimal colonization of the
mouse distal colon ({Martins, 2015 #28}. Localization of SGG in the distal colonic tissue will
be performed by various immuno-histological techniques. We will also seek to evaluate the
translocation capacity of SGG in healthy and tumor-bearing mice. The presence of SGG in
the mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen and liver, will be assessed as a read out of bacterial
translocation. We hope to visualize the translocation process of luminescent or fluorescent
SGG at the tissular and cellular levels using various imaging techniques. Different mouse
models reproducing CRC are currently evaluated in the laboratory of Philippe Sansonetti
such as AOM/DSS, APC , and APC/Notch mice; 2) to identify the molecular components
of the tumor conferring a growth advantage to SGG. Transcriptomic and metabolomic
profiling of colon tumors in the presence or absence of SGG are expected to provide essential
insights.
Min+/-
Candidates must be highly motivated and technically accomplished, and should have
a recent Ph.D. in cell biology, molecular biology, genetics or related area of study. To apply,
please send a letter (via email) describing your current research activities and future research
interests, a CV, and contact information for three references to Shaynoor DRAMSI
([email protected]).