Postdoctoral position in transposable elements and antiviral response in drosophila, University of Lyon, France, Biometry and Evolutionary Biology department Project description     Transposable Elements (TEs) are genomic parasites. They are pieces of DNA that are able to move and multiply along the chromosomes, through various mechanisms, some of which being tightly similar to certain viral cycles. This behavior is a direct threat to the integrity of the genome, and mechanisms have evolved which control TE activity. RNA interference (RNAi) is one of those, and relies on small RNA molecules that target TEs by sequence complementarity. Two main RNAi pathways are involved in TE control, that differ in their molecular actors and RNA precursors: the piRNA pathway, mostly described in gonads, and the siRNA pathway, also active in the soma. In many organisms, RNAi is also involved in antiviral immunity, through the siRNA pathway. For almost a decade now, we have been investigating the potential connections between TE control and antiviral immunity, and have shown that they were not independent (Roy et al., 2020; 2021; Garambois et al., 2024; Mayeux et al. 2024). Using Drosophila C Virus (DCV), a virus that encodes a viral suppressor of RNAi, our latest results revealed that Drosophila strains displaying a high load of TE sequences in their transcriptomes display low DCV titers upon experimental infections (Mayeux et al., 2024). Hence, the objective of the present project is to determine the molecular mechanisms and the evolutionary impacts of this potential protective role of TEs against the replication of DCV.     To fulfill these scientific objectives, the selected person will perform experimental infections of flies and subsequent molecular biology experiments in order to investigate the underlying mechanisms. She/he will also measure fly fitness (fecundity and survival) under different infectious conditions. Finally, she/he will analyze RNAseq data from a collection of samples from the field in order to investigate the natural viral load and TE activity.     This postdoctoral contract is funded for 36 months by the ANR grant ProtecTE (Deciphering the Protective role of Transposable Element in antiviral response). Salary will depend on previous experience. Starting date is 2025, February 1st. The selected person should be autonomous in molecular biology experiments, with a background and interest in genomics and/or evolution of interactions. A previous experience in insect infections would be an advantage. We are looking for a meticulous, well-organized and creative person, with a clear sense of collective commitment. Meetings in the group are held in English. French may help in social interactions but is not mandatory. Work environment     The project will be supervised by Marie Fablet (Associate Professor, LBBE UMR CNRS 5558, Université Lyon 1), who leads the TE axis (within the "Genetics and Evolution of Interactions" group), gathering Cristina Vieira and Matthieu Boulesteix, two professors of University Lyon 1, and PhD students and post-docs. They have a long-term expertise in TE dynamics and evolution, especially in Drosophila species. The group combines know-hows in molecular biology, population genetics and bio-informatics specifically dedicated to TE biology. In addition, this project is performed in collaboration with Rita Rebollo (CR INRAE, BF2I), Natacha Kremer (CR CNRS, LBBE), and Séverine Chambeyron (DR CNRS, IGH, Montpellier), for their acknowledged expertise in TEs, insect immunity, and Drosophila genetics and small RNA biology, respectively. LBBE displays all necessary facilities for fly rearing and molecular biology experiments, in association with DTAMB (Development of Techniques and Molecular Analysis for Biodiversity, University Lyon 1 http://www.dtamb.univ-lyon1.fr), and powerful computing resources, in association with PRABI (Pôle Rhone-Alpin de Bio-Informatique, http://www.prabi.fr).     Lyon is France's 3rd largest city and is very dynamic with 180,000 students. It has a rich history that traces back to the Romans and it is included on the list of UNESCO world heritage sites (https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/872/). Lyon is surrounded by natural Parks (Vercors, Chartreuse, Haut-Jura, Livradois-Forez, Ardèche...) and is two hours away from the Alps. Geneva is accessible by train or car in less than two hours, Paris in 2 hours by train as are Marseille and the Mediterranean Sea. Application     Scientific contact: marie.fablet@univ-lyon1.fr     Application through the CNRS portal (https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR5558-NATARB-082/Default.aspx) is mandatory (cover letter, CV including publication list and names and email addresses of two referees). Marie Fablet Institut Universitaire de France MCU Université Claude Bernard Lyon1 Laboratoire de Biométrie Biologie Evolutive UMR CNRS 5558 43 bv 11 novembre 1918 69622 Villeurbanne Cedex France tel: 00 33 4 72 43 29 16 e-mail: marie.fablet@univ-lyon1.fr GDR Mobil-ET: https://mobil-et.cnrs.fr Master BEE: https://master-bee.univ-lyon1.fr/ Marie Fablet (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)