Cell responses to ionizing irradiation in the wild fauna: exploring cancer resistance in long l[...]

Organisation / Company CNRS Alsace Laboratory UMR 7178 - IPHC Is the Hosting related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Keywords: Evolutionary biology, comparative oncology, Physiology of ageing, genome stability, DNA repair, cell senescence/death, omics

Using cellular biology approaches, studying the variability of responses to cytotoxic stress in non-model organisms provides an opportunity to identify natural mechanisms of cancer resistance, with the ultimate goal of translating these findings into the development of innovative therapies for humans. This approach has, for example, already demonstrated that the low cancer prevalence observed in elephants is due to the duplication of the most important known tumor suppressor gene (i.e., TP53) or the overproduction of high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid in the naked mole rat (Tian et al. 2013, Abegglen et al. 2015). The anti-cancer mechanism discovered in elephants in 2015 has led to the creation of new treatments currently undergoing clinical trials. However, this approach needs to be expanded to cover a much broader diversity of species and mechanisms.

To this end, we propose to investigate the genetic and cellular bases of resistance to cytotoxic stress in a taxon known for low cancer prevalence: birds. We will utilize a collection of cell cultures from the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), managed by a close collaborator (Bertrand Bed’Hom), which includes cells from nearly 500 vertebrate species (including some birds), and we will expand the avian section by producing new primary cell cultures from field biopsies. The selection of species will allow us to test certain paradoxes regarding the high energy expenditure or elevated blood glucose levels of birds, which nevertheless exhibit remarkable longevity and reduced cancer prevalence.

We will select certain cell cultures and subject them to irradiation to identify the strategies employed in response to DNA damage accumulation and the propensity of these cells to become cancerous. Well-defined markers such as survival, apoptosis, and senescence will be measured by flow cytometry over time following irradiation, in relation to DNA damage accumulation. Proteomic analyses will also be conducted on these cell cultures before and after irradiation to identify the anti-cancer responses mounted by cells from cancer-resistant species.

The postdoc will be co-supervised by Fabrice Bertile (IPHC, ecophysiology and proteomics) and François Criscuolo (IPHC, Ecology and Evolution), who have already collaborated or have ongoing projects using the same bio-inspired approach on other aging-related topics. A significant investment by the recruited individual will focus on cell culture techniques, and they will also be trained in multiple analytical methods (flow cytometry, imaging, proteomics, etc.). Existing connections with ongoing projects at IPHC (ANR GEING, VA Viblanc), at the national level (M. Giraudeau, WildCan network ), and internationally (S. Bourgeon, Norway) will enable the student to join a collaborative network that includes other doctoral researchers.

Who can apply?

Researchers of any nationality who:

• Have completed a PhD or will complete it at the date of the call deadline (September 2026).
• Have a maximum of 8 years full-time equivalent experience in research at the time of the call deadline.
• Have not resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the call deadline.

Beware that applicants who have applied to the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship 2025 call and received an evaluation below 80% are not eligible for an application in 2026.

How to apply?

We encourage all motivated and eligible postdoctoral researchers to send their expressions of interest to the supervisor’s e‑mail address before 24th April 2026.

Your application shall include:

• a CV (5 pages max)
• a cover letter outlining your research background and its synergies with the supervisor’s field and/or the proposed research topic.

Estimated timetable:

• Deadline for sending an expression of interest: 24th April 2026
• Selection of the applicant: May 2026 at the latest