Institut Cochin – ASSISTANT-ENGINEER FELLOWSHIP

ASSISTANT-ENGINEER FELLOWSHIP FOR 3 YEARS

Our laboratory “Retrovirus, Infection and Latency” studies the molecular battle between proteins
encoded by HIV-1 and HIV-2, the causative agents of AIDS, and host defence factors.
Profile: We are looking for a highly motivated candidate, who has a very good background in molecular and cellular biology and in biochemistry. Prior experience in laboratory is required.

Job information: Funding is available for 3 years starting from December 2022 (grant from FRM-
Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale). Salary will be adjusted depending on experience. The

laboratory is hosted within the “Institut Cochin” in Paris. This institute provides an exciting multidisciplinary environment with state-of-the-art and efficient core facilities.
Project: HIV-1 and HIV-2 eradication faces a major obstacle that is viral persistence in reservoir cells despite antiretroviral treatment. HIV latency refers to silent viruses, which remain competent, and, in
case the treatment is interrupted, can still produce infectious particles. Latency can be explained by
an inhibition of viral transcription or by a defect in the post-transcriptional steps. We have shown that
the HUSH epigenetic complex represses the HIV-1 LTR promoter and proposed that HUSH could be a
player in HIV latency. Furthermore, we and others found that specific lentiviral proteins from HIV or
SIV (Simian virus) antagonize HUSH to increase viral expression, highlighting the molecular battle
between the virus and its host.
The future assistant-engineer will help the different projects of the lab and, more specifically, will be
in charge of the development of a molecule that targets HUSH and modulates its activity, based on the
study of viral antagonists.
Application: Candidates should send their applications, as well as names and letters of potential
referees to the following e-mail address: florence.margottin-goguet@inserm.fr
Some publications from the lab:
-TASOR epigenetic repressor cooperates with a CNOT1 RNA degradation pathway to repress HIV. Matkovic R., et al. Nature
communications 2022 Janv 10, 13(1):66
-Binding to DCAF1 distinguishes TASOR and SAMHD1 degradation by HIV-2 Vpx. Martin* M, Matkovic* R, et al. Plos
pathogens 2021 Oct 26, 17 (10)
-HIV-2/SIV viral protein X counteracts HUSH repressor complex. Chougui G, et al. Nature Microbiol. 2018 Aug;3(8):891-897.
-HIV-1 Vpr degrades the HLTF DNA translocase in T cells and macrophages. Lahouassa H, et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.
2016 May 10;113(19):5311-6.
-SAMHD1 restricts the replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 by depleting the intracellular pool of
deoxynucleoside triphosphates. Lahouassa H, et al. Nature Immunol. 2012 Feb 12;13(3):223-228.

Veuillez postuler directement en vous adressant au contact indiqué dans l’offre ci-avant. L’ESTBA ne traitera aucune candidature. Merci.