Role of miRNAs in the control of oocyte reserve in fish (RESOV)
INRAE presentation The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) is a major player in research and innovation. It is a community of 12,000 people with 272 research, experimental research, and support units located in 18 regional centres throughout France. Internationally, INRAE is among the top research organisations in the agricultural and food sciences, plant and animal sciences, as well as in ecology and environmental science.
It is the world’s leading research organisation specialising in agriculture, food and the environment. INRAE’s goal is to be a key player in the transitions necessary to address major global challenges. Faced with a growing world population, climate change, resource scarcity, and declining biodiversity, the Institute has a major role to play in building solutions and supporting the necessary acceleration of agricultural, food and environmental transitions.
Work environment, missions and activities
This thesis is part of a research project aiming to decipher the fundamental processes that govern the primary oocyte reserve within the fish ovary, from which mature oocytes (or eggs) are laid during each reproductive cycle. This research will contribute to a better understanding of physiological changes that are relevant to societal issues such as the preservation of wild populations or the improvement of fish farming practices.
The current hypothesis is that, as for mammals, paracrine regulations mediated by factors such as the anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) modulate the reserve status during the female’s life. In the laboratory, we also identified two microRNAs required for the maintenance of the female fecundity in medaka (i.e. the number of eggs laid during each reproductive cycle). We therefore hypothesize that these two miRNAs are also involved, along with AMH, in the regulation of the oocyte reserve and in the control of female fecundity.
The objective of the thesis will be to determine the precise role of AMH and of these two miRNAs in the establishment of this reserve in larvae and its renewal in adults, and to understand the underlying mechanisms. To this aim, the candidate will carry out functional in vivo studies using Medaka lines (KO or transgenic) that are maintained at the LPGP. He/she will also create new lines by genome editing to validate potential miRNAs targets (using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology).
The candidate will use various phenotyping techniques such as 3D imaging by confocal microscopy (on the LPGP 3D imaging platform) and image analysis based on the use of open-source Deep Learning algorithms. He/she will also use histology techniques such as in situ hybridization (RNAscope technology) or immunhistochemistry (antibodies or nanobodies), as well as transcriptomics approaches (RNA-seq).
The thesis will be co-supervised by Violette Thermes (LPGP, INRAE) and Frédérique Clément (MUSCA, INRIA, https://team.inria.fr/musca/).
Training and skills
Master’s degree/Engineering degree Training in reproductive and developmental biology, and in cellular and molecular biology. Knowledge in microscopy and image analysis will be welcome
INRAE’s life quality By joining our teams, you benefit from (depending on the type of contract and its duration):
– up to 30 days of annual leave + 15 days “Reduction of Working Time” (for a full time);
– parenting support: CESU childcare, leisure services;
– skills development systems: training, career advise;
– social support: advice and listening, social assistance and loans;
– holiday and leisure services: holiday vouchers, accommodation at preferential rates;
– sports and cultural activities;
– collective catering.
How to apply
Send your CV and your motivation letter to violette.thermes@inrae.fr & frederique.clement@inria.fr
Offer reference
- Contract: PhD position
- Duration: 3 years
- Beginning: As soon as possible
- Remuneration: Brut mensuel : 2044€
- Reference: OT-18272
- Deadline: 30/11/2023
Centre Bretagne-Normandie More information on centre
Laboratoire de Physiologie et Génomique des Poissons LPGP 35000 Rennes
Contact:
Violette Thermes violette.thermes@inrae.fr
Frédérique Clément frederique.clement@inria.fr