Posdoctoral position, transcription factors, at Versailles,

[Nobody]

A postdoctoral position is available for an enthusiastic and highly 
motivated post-doc fellow to work on functional analyses of 
transcription factors involved in the control of flavonoid 
biosynthesis in Arabidopsis. The position requires a Ph.D. with an 
excellent background in molecular genetics and functional 
characterization of transcription factors both in vitro and in vivo 
(e.g. Yeast 1-or 2H, Co-IP, Gel-shift, footprint). Knowledge in plant 
biology is not absolutely required.

To date, 22 loci involved in flavonoid metabolism have been 
identified and sixteen mutants have already led to gene cloning, 
among which BAN, which encodes a key enzyme of proanthocyanidin (PA) 
metabolism. We have shown that the activity of the BAN promoter is 
restricted to PA-accumulating cells and have localized a specific 
enhancer region involved in this regulation (Debeaujon et al., 2003). 
We have identified three genes, namely TT2, TT8, and TT16 which 
encode MYB, bHLH, and MADS transcription factors, respectively, and 
positively regulate BAN expression (Nesi et al., 2000, 2001, and 
2002). At least three other genes are also necessary for proper PA 
accumulation, namely TT1, TTG1, and TTG2 encoding ZnFinger, WDR, and 
WRKY protein, respectively. We have demonstrated that TT2, TT8, and 
TTG1 simultaneously interact and directly activate the promoter of 
BAN (Baudry et al., 2004). The proposed program intends to unravel 
further this complex regulatory network at the genetic, biochemical 
and molecular levels.

Our group is interested in understanding the molecular and genetic 
mechanisms that control seed development and maturation 
(www.ijpb.versailles.inra.fr/en/bs/equipes/Dev/index.htm). We have 
general expertise in the field of plant molecular biology, genetics, 
functional genomics, and tools for cytological, metabolic and 
physiological analyses.  The position is available in the framework 
of the EU-project FLAVO, coordinated by our group, aiming at a better 
understanding and improvement of the impact of fruit and vegetable 
flavonoids on food quality, human nutrition and health.

The Institute JPB (http://www-ijpb.versailles.inra.fr/en/index.htm) 
has a longstanding tradition in plant biology including genetics, 
metabolism, cell biology and development (4 laboratories, 30 research 
groups, 300 people including 80 permanent researchers and research 
assistants). During the last decade, the institute has established an 
internationally recognized reputation in molecular genetics and has 
contributed to the development of a widely used set of tools for 
functional genomics. Common facilities (Cytology and Biochemistry 
Laboratories) display full equipments needed for cell imaging and 
protein biochemistry. Our campus is one of the largest Plant Biology 
centers in Europe and has strong contacts with the URGV (Plant 
Genomics, Evry), the University of Orsay (ParisXI), and the ISV 
(Institut des Sciences V=E9g=E9tales, Gif). Versailles is a beautiful and 
historical city located only 30 minutes away from Paris by train 
(http://www.versailles-tourisme.com/index_a.html).

Expected start date: March 2005 
Duration: 24 to 36 months
The salary is 26 000 =A4 / year (about 21 500 =A4 net)
Contact : Lo=EFc LEPINIEC  (Flavo04 at versailles.inra.fr)
Seed Biology Laboratory, IJPB, INRA, Versailles, France
To apply, send CV, list of  publications, and 3 references to 
=46lavo04 at versailles.inra.fr

Publications of the group related to the project
- Baudry A. et al., (2004)  Plant J. 39, 366-380.
- Debeaujon I. et al., (2003) Plant Cell, 15, 2514-2531.
- Nesi N. et al., (2002) Plant Cell, 14, 2463-2479.
- Nesi N. et al., (2001) Plant Cell, 13, 2099-2114.
- Nesi N. et al., (2000) Plant Cell, 12, 1863-1878.

--
Lo=EFc Lepiniec
Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB),
Laboratoire de Biologie des Semences (Seed Biology),
UMR 204 INRA-INAPG, Centre de Versailles,
=46-78026, Versailles Cedex, France
Tel 33- (0)1 30 83 30 49 - Fax 33- (0)1 30 83 30 99
lepiniec at versailles.inra.fr
http://www-ijpb.versailles.inra.fr/en/bs/equipes/Dev/index.htm

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