Eukaryotic chromosomes are condensed into several hierarchical levels of complexity: DNA is wrapped around core histones to form nucleosomes, nucleosomes form a higher-order structure called chromatin, and chromatin is subsequently organized by long-range contacts. The conformation of chromatin at these three levels greatly influences DNA transcription. One class of chromatin regulatory proteins called insulator factors set up boundaries between heterochromatin and euchromatin and generate long-range loops. In Drosophila, three types of insulators have been shown to regulate transcription and organize chromatin at the higher level by the formation of long-range interactions that were proposed to be mediated by the coalescence of several insulator proteins into clusters (insulator bodies). Our project aims at unravelling the mechanism by which insulator bodies dynamically regulate chromatin structure and transcription by using single-molecule biophysics, super resolution microscopy, and structural biology methods.

The project is funded by the ERC and hosted at the DNA remodeling and translocation group at the Centre for Structural Biophysics (CBS), a major research center of the French CNRS and INSERM research agencies affiliated with the University of Montpellier South of France (I and II). The CBS is dedicated to research at the forefront of biophysics and structural biology as a means to revealing the fundamental physical mechanisms underlying biological activity and its regulation. We have an excellent infrastructure with state-of-the-art facilities in biophysics, biochemistry, advanced fluorescence microscopies, nuclear magnetic resonance, x-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, bioinformatics, and cell biology. Montpellier is a major biology area with a focus on basic research, biomedicine, plant biology and environmental science. Its science drive, the beauty of the region, its high quality of life, and the short commute to other major regional research areas (Ba!

 rcelona, Paris, Toulouse, Marseille) makes it an ideal destination for scientists from all over the world.

Successfull applicants are expected to have a training and research experience in biophysics,  biochemistry, or cell biology, and express strong interest in working at the interface between these disciplines. Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment is essential.

Interested applicants should email curriculum vitae, statement of research interests and names of three references to Dr. Marcelo Nollmann (postdocprogram@gmail.com). Received applications will be reviewed immediately.

For more information, go to our website at: www.cbs.cnrs.fr/PostdocProgram/