Post-doctoral position in neuroimmunovirology

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Working place: The Cochin Institute

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Scientific context: Among sexually-transmitted infections, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is the largest contributor to increased acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) during co-infection. We discovered that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a mucosal neuropeptide secreted by peripheral pain neurons termed nociceptors that innervate all genital tissues, strongly inhibits infection of Langerhans cells (LCs; resident antigen-presenting cells in stratified epithelia) with HIV-1 and HSV-2, revealing for the first time the unexpected anti-viral roles of CGRP. Recently, we developed the ‘mucosa-on-chip’ microfluidic model that combines CGRP-secreting nociceptor neurons with genital epithelial cells and LCs. In this model, infected LCs relay HSV-2 to nociceptor axons, resulting in axonal degeneration and reduction in CGRP content.

Project: We are seeking a post-doctoral fellow to explore the anti-viral roles of CGRP during HSV-2/HIV-1 co-infection using the ‘mucosa-on-chip’ model, which mimics the complex in-vivo neuroimmune landscape of mucosal tissues. The main objective of the selected candidate will be to prove that an unrecognized mechanism, by which HSV-2 increases HIV-1 acquisition during co-infection, involves HSV-2-mediated dysregulation of mucosal CGRP secretion, thereby counteracting the protective anti-HIV-1 actions of CGRP.

Qualifications:

• Highly motivated fellow with a PhD in immunology or neuroimmunology and strong interest in virology.
• Excellent quality track record, with at least one first author publication.
• Enthusiastic, capable of working independently and developing the project.
• Experience in basic molecular and cellular techniques, confocal and live microscopy, and flow cytometry.
• Additional expertise in microfluidics and cell transformation / cell lines development is appreciated.

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