PhD project: 

Ubiquitylation in response to DNA damage 

Ubiquitylation is a versatile posttranslational protein modification that encodes various signals in eukaryotic cells. For instance, K48- and K11-linked polyubiquitin chains trigger the rapid degradation of their modification substrates by the proteasome. Such proteolytic signals are widely used by the cell to tightly control its most important processes, such as DNA transcription or replication.

In this PhD project, we propose to investigate how nuclear ubiquitylation contributes to the cellular response to DNA damage. To achieve this goal, we have already developed an original strategy in budding yeast that enables to strongly and specifically enrich nuclear ubiquitylated proteins after DNA damage. Those proteins will be identified by proteomics and their modification will be characterized using a combination of biochemical, genetic and live cell imaging approaches.

This project, which is funded by the ANR, will be performed under the supervision of Gwenaël Rabut at the Institute of Genetics and Development of Rennes (IGDR) (http://igdr.univ-rennes1.fr/english/). The IGDR comprises 20 research groups addressing a wide range of subjects in cell biology and benefits from excellent core facilities, such as state-of-the-art microscopy and genomics centers.

Rennes is a lively city located in the North-West of France, with fast and direct access to Paris (2 hours by train). Its rich student life, its strong music and food heritage and its proximity to the coast make it a very welcoming and pleasant place to live.

Interested candidates should send their CV and a letter of motivation to Gwenaël Rabut (gwenael.rabut@inserm.fr) and provide the names and contact details of at least two references. The best candidates will then be elected to apply for a PhD fellowship from the PhD programme of the University of Rennes 1. More details on the application procedure are available online (http://www.vas.univ-rennes1.fr/en/).

Gwenaël Rabut

Institute of Genetics and Development of Rennes

Faculté de Médecine, 2 avenue Pr Léon Bernard, 35000 Rennes, France