Project title:
non-coding RNAs: intra and inter-cellular trafficking
Scope of the project:
Recent research has revealed that RNA, including non-coding RNAs, can be transferred to cells via extra-cellular vesicles. Yet the mechanisms involved in RNA selectivity, transport and targeting are still largely unknown. This project aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms mediating selective intra-and inter-cellular trafficking of non-coding RNAs in neurons in culture but also in vivo. A wide array of well-established but also cutting-edge techniques will be used for the accomplishment of the project such as Next Generation Sequencing, in vivo and ex vivo live imaging, in vitro chemotropic assays, bioinformatics.
Host Lab:
The project will be conducted within the G. Armenise-Harvard laboratory of Axonal Neurobiology headed by Marie-Laure Baudet. The lab is widely funded by grants from the Armenise-Harvard Foundation (USA), the European Commission and the Italian Ministry for Education, Universities and Research (MIUR). Publication track record of the group leader can be found here
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=baudet+ML+%5BAU%5D. The lab webpage can be consulted here:
http://www.cibio.unitn.it/174/the-giovanni-armenise-harvard-laboratory-of-axonal-neurobiologyHost Institute:
The University of Trento Center for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), is the top ranked medium-size academic institution in Italy, located in the heart of the Alps. It is a new, international and multidisciplinary research center equipped with state-of-the-art technologies. More information can be found at:
http://www.cibio.unitn.it/Candidate:
The successful candidate should be highly motivated, display initiative and independence. Candidates with a PhD in Biological Sciences or related disciplines, with strong knowledge in RNA biology, and a background in Neuroscience and / or Molecular Biology are encouraged to apply.
Interested candidates should send a CV to:
[email protected].
Keywords:
CNS, central nervous system, brain wiring, axon guidance, connectome, differentiation, development, neurodevelopmental disorders, neuroregeneration, extra-cellular vesicles, EV, exosome, trafficking, live imaging, in vivo, non-coding RNA, microRNA, miRNA, circular RNA, circRNA, long non-coding RNA, lncRNA, RNA localization.
Key publications:
Bellon A, Iyer A, Bridi S, Lee FC, Ovando-Vázquez C, Corradi E, Longhi S, Roccuzzo M, Strohbuecker S, Naik S, Sarkies P, Miska E, Abreu-Goodger C, Holt CE, Baudet ML. (2017) miR-182 Regulates Slit2-Mediated Axon Guidance by Modulating the Local Translation of a Specific mRNA. Cell Rep. 18(5):1171-1186. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.12.093.
Iyer AN, Bellon A, Baudet ML. (2014) microRNAs in axon guidance. Front Cell Neurosci. 14;8:78. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00078. eCollection 2014.
Baudet ML, Zivraj KH, Abreu-Goodger C, Muldal A, Armisen J, Blenkiron C, Goldstein LD, Miska EA, Holt CE. (2012) miR-124 acts through CoREST to control onset of Sema3A sensitivity in navigating retinal growth cones. Nat Neurosci. 15(1):29-38. doi: 10.1038/nn.2979.