STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY OF WOUND HEALING
A 2 year postdoctoral position, funded by the French National
Research Agency, is available at the Institut de Biologie et Chimie
des Protéines in Lyon (www.ibcp.fr) to study the molecular mechanisms
of wound healing and to develop novel anti-scarring strategies. The
work will focus on the functions of the increasingly important family
of tolloid metalloproteinases, and associated proteins, involved in
several aspects of tissue repair (see below for further information).
Candidates should have a strong background in structural biology.
Net salary (after deductions) : 2039 euros/month.
Contact:
David Hulmes
Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines
7 passage du Vercors
69367 Lyon cedex 7
Tel : +33 472722667
Fax : +33 472722604
e-mail : [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To apply, send full CV, list of publications and names and contact
details of at least two scientific referees.
Deadline for applications : 20 December 2007
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Further information
Research project - The project is funded by the French National
Research Agency. It involves 3 research groups, two based in Lyon and
the third in Toulouse. The idea is to study the role of tolloid
proteinases and associated proteins in the process of wound healing,
and to develop novel anti-scarring strategies. Scarring frequently
accompanies wound repair following events such as surgery, burns and
infections. Several structural proteins, enzymes and growth factors
are involved in wound repair. It has recently become apparent that
members of the tolloid family of metallo-proteinases play several
important roles in wound healing and development (Ge and Greenspan,
2006), either by processing structural proteins or by activating
enzymes and growth factors in the extracellular matrix (ECM). The
activities of tolloid proteinases can be stimulated several fold by
other ECM proteins, called PCPEs. We have recently shown that PCPE-1
can stimulate the activity of one of the tolloid proteinase BMP-1, in
a substrate specific manner, to selectively accelerate procollagen
processing (Moali et al., 2005) and we have identified structural
features in PCPE-1 required for stimulating activity (Blanc et al.,
2007). The aims of the project are to understand the molecular
mechanisms of action of tolloid proteinases and PCPEs and to find
novel inhibitors to be tested in both an animal model and using
reconstructed corneas.
Blanc G, Font B, Eichenberger D, Moreau C, Ricard-Blum S, Hulmes DJ,
Moali C (2007) J Biol Chem 282, 16924-16933.
Ge G, Greenspan DS (2006) Birth Defects Res C Embryo Today 78: 47-68.
Moali C, Font B, Ruggiero F, Eichenberger D, Rousselle P, Francois V,
Oldberg A, Bruckner-Tuderman L, Hulmes DJS (2005) J Biol Chem 280:
24188-24194.
Working environment - The research will be carried out in the group
of David Hulmes, in collaboration with the group of Richard Haser, at
the Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines (IBCP), which is a
joint CNRS/ University of Lyon institute located in the Gerland
region of Lyon. The institute (www.ibcp.fr) consists of 160 staff
(including postdocs and students), organised in three scientific
departments and 14 research groups as well as common facilities for
protein production and characterisation. The department of matrix
biology and tissue engineering consists of 6 research groups, with
interests ranging from structural biochemistry, cell biology,
development and tissue repair. Structural biology and bioinformatics
are also major areas of expertise. The IBCP is part of a grouping of
local institutes in the Gerland area, the IFR 128 Biosciences Lyon-
Gerland (www.ifr128.prd.fr).
Lyon is one of the major cities in France (www.lyon.fr/vdl/sections/
en) and is ideally located in the centre of Europe within two hours
of Paris, the Alps and the Mediterranean. It has a strong cultural
and intellectual tradition, is widely known as the gastronomic centre
of France, and the old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Profile - Candidates should have a strong background in structural
biology. Knowledge of the French language would be helpful but not
essential. There are no restrictions on nationality.
