Join us

We propose two ambitious and innovative MSc projects for 2021-2022 academic year.

Our team addresses these fundamental questions: How are cellular metabolic activities controlled by nutrient sensing signal transduction pathways? And how defects in these molecular mechanisms could be explored to understand and to treat human diseases? We focus on an essential nutrient sensing signal transduction pathway present in all eukaryotic cells, the Vps15/Vps34 complex (Vacuolar Protein Sorting 15/34, known as class 3 PI3K). Our team has shown that class 3 PI3K is required to maintain whole body metabolic homeostasis, and recently demonstrated its essential function in transcriptional control of lipid metabolism (Nemazanyy et al, EMBO Mol Med, 2013; Nemazanyy et al, Nature Comm, 2015; Iershov et al, Nature Comm, 2019).

Project 1: Nuclear phosphatidyl inositol signaling in metabolic control

In our on-going project, we focus on the novel nuclear roles of class 3 PI3K for assuring metabolic fitness of the cells, the process challenged during organismal aging. Our unpublished RNA-seq, ChIP-Seq and nuclear interactome data have suggested novel functional links between class 3 PI3K and life sustaining amino acid metabolic pathways. The main objectives of this M2 training that we are determined to lead to an ambitious PhD project are:

1) To characterize the metabolic signals that mediate novel interactions between class 3 PI3K and amino acid metabolism;
2) To demonstrate functional significance of these novel molecular cross-talks for cell survival.

Project 2: Novel functions of class 3 PI3K in metabolic time-keeping

Our most recent discovery advocates that class 3 PI3K is also involved in whole-body metabolic control

by functional interaction with the circadian clock

mechanism in liver (Alkhoury et al, in review). The circadian clock is an evolutionary conserved anticipatory mechanism that functions in nearly all cells of our body. It assures metabolic adaptation to resting and active phases of the daily cycle we experience. Accordingly, different metabolic pathways have been reported to control the circadian clock molecular machinery and consequent circadian responses such as feeding behavior. The link between class 3 PI3K, circadian clock in different metabolic tissues and feeding behavior is still unexplored. To this end, the main objectives of proposed M2 training that we are determined to lead to an ambitious PhD project are:

1) Determine the role of class 3 PI3K in the regulation of circadian clock machinery in different metabolic organs beyond the liver;
2) Discover the molecular mechanism by which class 3 PI3K controls the circadian clock;
3) Investigate the feeding behavior of class 3 PI3K mutants in physiological and nutritional stress conditions.

If you are interested in joining us, please email the following information
to: ganna.panasyuk@inserm.fr

- Letter of motivation briefly explaining which project interests you and why
- Your CV
- Contact of at least one reference

There is no deadline for the application. Applications will be considered until we find a suitable candidate. The selected candidates will be interviewed by Skype/Zoom and invited for a formal interview to meet the team and visit our lab.

We look forward to hearing from you!

All around the year (postdocs and PhD students)

We are a young dynamic international team with a great huger for discovery! We provide a melting pot environment of curiosity, enthusiasm, fun and ambition to do top science. Our goal is to provide each team member a thriving experience of eureka moment. We offer the frame so you could paint your magic picture of the secret world of life. We expect your full commitment to investigate YOUR scientific questions collaborating with other team members.

Our motto: “Each one of us can make a discovery. Together we will make a breakthrough!”

We expect from each member:

- Conduct well-designed experiments to address ambitious problems

- Communicate and disseminate your findings

- Support each other and collaborate on your projects to achieve maximum scientific potential

Mentoring is central to our vision, so each team member is guided in experimental design, data analysis, project delineation, scientific communication, grant writing, time management, and leadership that will prepare you for your future endeavors.

We are looking for highly motivated and creative students and postdocs with a background in cell biology, metabolism or physiology who are committed to advance their career in science. If you are interested in joining us, please email the following information to : ganna.panasyuk@inserm.fr

- Letter of motivation explaining:

What motivates you in science

What scientific question intrigues you the most today and how do you propose to address it

How you want to contribute to our lab

Where do you see yourself in future and what you expect to achieve through training in our lab

- Full CV

- Contacts of 2 references