Postdoctoral position. Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD), Seville. Juan R. Martinez-Morales Lab (jrmarmor@upo.es) is recruiting competitive postdoctoral researchers to participate in an interdisciplinary project on comparative tissue morphogenesis. Research project/ Research Group description: The main focus of our laboratory is to study cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the morphogenesis of the vertebrate eye. Using the teleost models zebrafish and medaka, we investigate the machinery driving the folding of the retinal neuroepithelium. Optic cup morphogenesis is an atypical model for epithelial morphogenesis for, in contrast to well-known apical constrictions, it involves the folding of the tissue towards its basal surface. Although it is generally accepted that optic cup formation follows a tissue-intrinsic program in vertebrates, several mechanisms have been postulated (basal constriction, rim involution) and some important differences in cell behaviour have been reported among species. Many important questions still remain open. Which is the relative contribution of each mechanism to the folding of the optic cup? Do they act in a cooperative manner? Do they have the same regulatory weight in different species? To answer these questions, we aim to integrate genetic information, imaging analysis of cell shape changes, and tensional forces distribution into coherent computational models able to predict the key morphogenetic rules that shape the entire organ. We plan to extend our observations to mammalian tissue, by examining cell shape changes and tensions in 3D retinal organoids developed in vitro. A key aspect of the project is to understand how classical signalling events, which have proved to be essential for the proper patterning of the organ, act in coordination with tensional forces. This highly interdisciplinary approach, combining genetics, imaging, biophysics and computational modelling should yield information relevant not only to understand optic cup formation, but also to deduce general self-organization principles of the living matter. Last Publications: Letelier et al. (2018a) Nat Genetics, Letelier et al (2018b) PNAS, Nicolás- Pérez et al (2016). eLife; Gago-Rodrigues et al (2015). Nat Comm ; Tena et al (2014) Genome Research. 24(7):; Bogdanovic et al (2012). Developmental Cell. 23 (4). For a full list: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Martinez-morales+JR Job position description: We offer a one-year renewable contract and full support to apply for external funding. Given the interdisciplinary character of the project above described, we are seeking talented and highly motivated postdoctoral researchers with a background either in Developmental Biology or in Biophysics. Previous experience with teleost models will be well received. The candidates should have good communication skills, critical for ensuring the success of the team effort. We offer an adequate environment to mature scientifically and eventually to become independent scientists. The CABD is thematically focused on the topic of Cellular and Developmental Biology, and is well equipped in terms of infrastructure, particularly for imaging analyses. Our research unit, the department of Gene Regulation and Morphogenesis was recently awarded with the María de Maeztu distinction of excellence. A series of external seminars by prominent Spanish and international speakers are organized on a weekly basis. In addition, a biweekly series of seminars allow PhD students and postdoctorals to present their work. English is the official language in the CABD as well as in our internal seminars, as international researchers are frequent visitors/members in our group. Contact information: Juan R. Martínez-Morales. Gene regulation and Morphogenesis Department CABD. (CSIC/UPO). Seville, 41013 Spain. Email: jrmarmor@upo.es Phone: + 34 954977827 Web pages : http://cellcollectives.com/dt_doctors/control-of-epithelial-morphogenesis-in-vertebrates/ http://www.cabd.es/en-research_groups-97-221-control-of-epithelial-morphogenesis-in-vertebrates-summary.html |
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