Françoise Stutz Laboratory
My lab studies the process of mRNA biogenesis and export through nuclear pores, and the importance of nuclear architecture in gene expression. Another topic concerns the role of non-coding antisense RNAs in transcriptional gene silencing.
Current research can be divided into 3 variations on the theme RNA:
- Role of ubiquitin in the regulation of mRNP dynamics and export through nuclear pores.
- Functional relationship between gene expression and intra-nuclear gene positioning: role of nuclear pores in transcription regulation?
- Importance of non-coding and antisense RNAs in epigenetic control of gene expression through RNAi independent mechanisms.
Postdoctoral position in yeast DNA repair and genome stability
A postdoctoral position is available in the Stutz lab at the Department of Cell Biology, Section of Biology (http://biologie.unige.ch/en/) at the University of Geneva.
The Stutz lab has long-standing experience in mRNA biogenesis and export through nuclear pores, the importance of nuclear organization in gene expression, as well as the influence of non-coding transcription on gene expression and replication using the yeast S. cerevisiae as a model system https://cellbio.unige.ch/research/francoise-stutz. More recent work addresses the mechanisms by which the cell eliminates DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs) induced by UV irradiation or genotoxic drugs to maintain genome integrity. Through genetic screens we have identified a novel protease and alternative repair pathways activated in response to replication stress or RNA polymerase stalling induced by DPCs (bioRxiv https://doi.org/10.1101/575860). The current research project aims at characterizing the targets of this evolutionarily conserved protease and defining the co-factors and molecular mechanisms through which it eliminates the DPCs. These studies may also be relevant to human cancer research as treatment with certain drugs that induce DPCs may result in resistance due to the activation of the studied alternative repair pathways.
The successful candidate should have excellent qualifications with a PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or Cell Biology. A special interest in the field of transcription/DNA replication/genome stability, as well as expertise with yeast genetics, proteomics and cell-based imaging, will be an asset. The successful applicant should master English and have good organizational, communication and interpersonal skills. Preference will be given to candidates that have successfully finalized a previous project as first author, already published or in advanced consideration in a peer reviewed journal.
Only candidates currently residing in Europe will be considered for this position. The appointment is initially for one year and may be renewed for up to 3 years. The anticipated start date is Spring 2019.
Please send your application as a single pdf-file including a letter of motivation and research interests, a comprehensive CV and contact details for 2 references to .
Latest Publications
The aspartic protease Ddi1 contributes to DNA-protein crosslink repair in yeast.
The mRNA export adaptor Yra1 contributes to DNA double-strand break repair through its C-box domain.
Noncoding transcription influences the replication initiation program through chromatin regulation. Soudet J+, Gill JK, Stutz F+. Genome Res. 2018 Dec;28(12):1882-1893. doi: 10.1101/gr.239582.118. Epub 2018 Nov 6.