Post-doc position in Nantes (France) –
Allergy prevention by prebiotics.
Offer type: job
Contract: Contract/Project with an industrial
Salary range: To negociate
Employer: INRA
Workplace: Nantes - FRANCE
Skill areas: Immunology, Allergy, Nutrients, Biology- Cellular biology and animal
experimentation.
Sector: research
Posting date: 11/13/2014
Application deadline: 12/31/2014
The allergy team is currently located at INRA in the BIA unit (Biopolymers Associations
Assemblies) of Nantes. Our team is internationally recognized for its expertise in food
allergies especially to wheat and egg. It develops two lines of research. The first axis is to
acquire structural data describing allergens and their epitopes and try to understand some
aspects of allergenicity linked to clinical data. The second axis aims at identifying the
biological mechanisms of the allergic reaction and preventing or reducing the pathology
(prebiotics). In the particular field of wheat proteins, the allergy team successfully identified
several allergens and their linear epitopes (Battais et al., Allergy, 2005; Denery-Papini et al.,
Clin Exp Allergy, 2011). It developed effective in vitro assays as well (Bodinier et al., Int
Arch Allergy Immunol, 2008 ; Bodinier et al., J Agric Food Chem , 2007) and animal models
of allergy (Bodinier et al., J Agric Food Chem, 2009; Gourbeyre et al., Molecular Nutrition
and Food Research, 2012). It is currently involved in 5 national/European research projects,
among which FIBEBIOTICS (Immune effects of fibers, FP7-KBBE; 2011/2015) as a WP
leader and REAL2 (Atopic March mechanisms, REseau ALlergies REspiratoires et
Alimentaires 2011/2014). The research in this team greatly benefits from an outstanding
environment bringing together multidisciplinary expertise, ranging from biochemical and
physico-chemical properties of proteins (C. Larre and C. Brossard), to immunochemical
properties of wheat proteins (S. Denery), biological aspects of immune reactions and prebiotic
strategies to prevent allergies (M. Bodinier, scientist in charge of the fellow). The lab daily
collaborates as well with clinicians and researchers from INSERM and INRA.
It is well funded and currently composed of 10 permanent scientists, 2 post-docs and 3 PhD
students.
Mission:
This post-doctoral position is funded for 1 year (CDD INRA and a contract with an industrial:
la Laiterie de Montaigu) and will be opened in 2015. Our current projects are focused on
strategies to prevent food allergies using improved diet (prebiotic oligosaccharide) during
perinatal period (mother or newborn baby feeding). Our work on prebiotics shows, for the
first time, that a perinatal and postnatal exposure to dietary supplements (prebiotics GOS /
inulin) exerts a significant health effect on the body including strengthening of the intestinal
barrier and guidance of the immune system toward tolerance which could prevent allergies
(Gourbeyre et al, J Agric Food Chem, 2012; Gourbeyre et al., J Agric Food Chem, 2013).
This project requires to be further explored in future years. It is necessary to define the period
of prebiotics exposure more precisely (antenatal, perinatal, post-weaning) and their action
mechanisms on immune system, intestine and microbiota.
The project of the selected candidate will be:
- to determine precisely the most effective period of prebiotics GOS/inulin exposure to
prevent allergy: only perinatal (gestation and lactation), only prenatal (pregnancy) or
breastfeeding alone.
- to characterize the mechanisms of action of prebiotics (GOS/inulin) on the immune system
and intestine.
- to evaluate the effect of prebiotics type GOS / inulin on the intestinal microbiota.
Recent publications on the subject:
P. Gourbeyre, N. Desbuards, G. Grémy, O. Tranquet, M. Champ, S. Denery-Papini and M.
Bodinier. Perinatal and Postweaning Exposure to Galactooligosaccharides/Inulin Prebiotics
induced Biomarkers linked to Tolerance Mechanism in a Mouse Model of strong Allergic
sensitisation. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2013, 61 (26), 6311–6320. FI: 2.906.
P. Gourbeyre, N. Desbuards, G. Grémy, S. Le Gall, M. Champ, S. Denery-Papini and M.
Bodinier. Exposure to a Galactooligosaccharides/Inulin Prebiotic Mix at Different
Developmental Time Points Differentially Modulates Immune Responses in Mice. J. Agric.
Food Chem. 2012, 60, 11942−11951. FI: 2.906.
P. Gourbeyre, S. Denery and M. Bodinier. Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics: impact on
the gut immune system and allergic reactions. Review. 2011. Journal of Leukocyte Biology
(89), 685-695.FI: 4.568.
Candidates profile:
Candidates will hold a PhD in immunology and in animal experimentation or an equivalent
degree. They have to be motivated by fundamental biological questions.
We will draw a special attention to candidates with an experience in immunology associated
to intestine, allergy and animal models of allergy. The candidate will have to show an
experience in managing projects with animal experimentation and in the development of
experimental protocols in accordance with the ethics committee.
Desired skills:
Scientific Area 1: Animal model: reproduction, breeding, removal organs, injection
Scientific Area 2: Cell culture: proliferation, isolation of primary cell and cells from different
organs (intestine, spleen, blood), culture of cell line
Scientific Area 3: Fluorimetry: ELISA, flow cytometry (analyze of cell population and
marker expression)
Scientific Area 4: Biochemistry: western blot, immunoblotting, ELISA
Scientific Area 5: Project management: choice of strategies and approaches; writing scientific
articles and reports; management of external collaborations and research projects,
participation in arranging project financing for national calls for proposals.
It is expected that the candidate achieved his training to lead experimental research on
animals, level 1 (Expérimentation animale, Fonction de conception ou de realisation de
procedures expérimentales-Mammifères).
Application procedure:
Send your cover letter, CV and the names of 2-3 references to:
Marie Bodinier : marie.bodinier@nantes.inra.fr
Phone : 33 (0)2 40 67 50 35
Fax: 33 (0)2 40 67 50 25