PhD Position - the biology of microglia in neuroinflammatory disease

Neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases are increasingly frequent. They often involve peripheral immune cells that infiltrate the CNS and tissue-resident cells, among which microglia are particularly important. Microglia act as drivers of pathogenesis, yet also have crucial beneficial activities in these diseases, controlling the resolution of inflammation and CNS regeneration.

The goal of this project is to map the molecular networks controlling the fate of microglia towards these antagonistic activities using a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, and to functionally validate the core genes controlling these molecular networks in vivo. This will be achieved using scRNAseq, spatial transcriptomics, advanced machine learning approaches, and genetic approaches to manipulate the expression of candidate genes in microglia in vivo.

The project will capitalize on a cell-therapy approach recently developed in the team, which makes use of pure and stable IL-10-producing B cells and cures recipient mice from disease within a few days by targeting microglia. These studies will provide a starting point to then address whether the molecular processes identified are relevant in Human diseases including in multiple sclerosis.

Collectively, these investigations will provide important knowledge to envision the manipulation of microglia to resolve neuroinflammation and promote neuro-regeneration in order to restore health during CNS diseases.

Institut Necker Enfants Malades (INEM) is a biomedical research center located on the Necker campus. It benefits from numerous state-of-the-art core facilities. The Campus has a long-standing reputation for scientific excellence and key pioneering medical contributions (transplantation, biotherapy, gene therapy). It provides a vibrant environment for basic research and translational innovation.

The Immunity in Heath and Disease team, led by Simon Fillatreau, investigates the roles of B and T cells in autoimmune and infectious diseases, with a particular emphasis on identifying and characterizing novel pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory T cell, B cell and plasma cell subsets.

For PhD position:

Candidates must have a Master degree in Science, strong knowledge in Immunology is highly prefered. Candidates who are motivated, self-driven, independent, and creative with strong organizational, writing, and communication skills are encouraged to apply. Fluency in English and the ability to work in a multicultural environment are essential. Working with murine model is expected.

The PhD student will learn to work on expermental murine model while implicating scRNAseq, spatial transcriptomics, advanced machine learning approaches, and genetic approaches in order to investigate the biology of microglia and its role in inflammation and CNS regeneration.