ESR Application form

ESR 8: Role of peptide processing by ERAP/IRAP in preclinical models of autoimmunity

Recruiting Institution: University of Paris, FR PhD institution: University of Paris, FR	Supervisor: Prof. Peter van Endert
Project Description An ESR position is available to work on translational aspects of antigen processing in the environment of the Necker campus in the heart of Paris, France. The Necker campus hosts two large world-class research institutes, Institut Necker Enfants Malades (INEM) and IMAGINE, with access to a large array of state of the art core facilities, carrying out fundamental and applied research in close link with the pediatric Necker hospital. The ESR will work in the INEM team led by P. van Endert interested in antigen processing, cell biology of antigen presenting cells and autoimmune diseases. The successful candidate will examine how endoplasmic reticulum (ERAP) and endosomal (IRAP) aminopeptidases affect presentation of peptides recognized by pathogenic CD8 T lymphocytes in mouse models of type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Furthermore he/she will assess the therapeutic potential of small molecule enzyme inhibitors or activators in disease. The project will require induction, monitoring and treatment of disease in mice, evaluation of cellular and humoral immune responses and potentially genetic engineering of mouse strains or autoantigens. It will require ambition, curiosity and strong investment from a student with very solid training and knowledge in immunology, with focus on cellular immunology and autoimmunity. The candidate will collaborate with a fellow PhD student undertaking fundamental cell biological and immunological studies of the role of IRAP and ERAP in antigen cross-presentation, and analyzing the peptidome of macrophages and dendritic cells in wild-type and gene-deleted autoimmune mice. As part of the project, the student will carry out research at the University of Southampton (U.K.) to apply research approaches developed in autoimmune mice to cancer, and at IMBT (Lille, France) to quantify insulin-derived peptides in beta cells and lymph nodes. The ESR will also participate in network-wide training activities.
Essential Background: training in immunology	Desirable Background: training in biochemistry
Local Requirements:
Planned Secondments: As part of the project, the student will carry out research at the University of Southampton (U.K.) to apply research approaches developed in autoimmune mice to cancer, and at IMBT (Lille, France) to quantify insulin-derived peptides in beta cells and lymph nodes. The ESR will also participate in network-wide training activities.
Planned Starting Date: 1^st Oct. 2021	Application Deadline : 31st Mai 2021