We propose a 3- to 6-month internship combining microbiology, biochemistry and analytical chemistry, the aims of which are to investigate the role of UvrA2 in the coordination of the repair of complex DNA lesions by NER and BER, and to develop analytical tools to determine the kinetics of repair of UV-induced DNA lesions in vivo.


Abstract

DNA repair pathways contribute to the maintenance of genome integrity by eliminating DNA damage. Each pathway has its own substrate specificity, but recent evidence suggests that synergy between repair pathways, particularly between NER (nucleotide excision repair) and BER (base excision repair), may play a key role in genome preservation. Indeed, the repair of clustered radiation-induced lesions which are known to be poorly repaired by either pathway may require a coordinated response of the NER and BER pathways. J. Timmins' team is interested in these repair pathways in the bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans, known for its remarkable resistance to UV and ionising radiation. The laboratories of J.-L. Ravanat and J. Timmins have recently demonstrated (i) a direct interaction between the UvrA2 protein, a variant of the bacterial NER protein, UvrA, involved in lesion recognition, and several DNA glycosylases of the BER pathway, and (ii) a synergy between NER and BER in the repair of the 8-oxo-guanine lesion.

student with a good theoretical and, if possible, practical knowledge in biochemistry and analytical chemistry, strong interest in DNA repair mechanisms, strong motivation for multi-disciplinary research work.

Position to be filled as soon as possible for a period of 3 to 6 months.

EDF/CEA/IRSN/Framatome “Life Sciences” call.

Joanna Timmins and to Jean-Luc Ravanat.