The Effect of Hoxb4 on Self-Renewal of Memory T Cells
Term: full time
Research topic: the effect of Hoxb4 on self-renewal of memory T cells.
Project description:
Self-renewal is a process of cell division generating at least one daughter cell that retains the parental phenotype, to maintain the population throughout a lifetime. The molecular mechanisms underlying self-renewal of hematopoietic stem cells and memory T cells are poorly understood, but several observations suggest that HSCs and memory T (Tm) cells might use overlapping pathways1,2. Based on the capability of Hoxb4 to induce self-renewal expansion divisions of HSCs3, we hypothesize that Hoxb4 (and possibly other hox genes)-transduced Tm cells will result in the expansion of the memory T cell pool, and that Hoxb4 has a function in Tm self-renewal under physiological conditions. The project aims to elucidate whether Hoxb4 can expand the population of Tm cells using retroviral overexpression in a BM transplantation mouse model. Competitive and non-competitive serial transplantations will be performed to evaluate the expansion potential, kinetics and homing properties of Hoxb4 transduced Tm cells. Moreover, quantitative Hox gene expression studies in naïve, effector and Tm cells will shed light on the involvement of Hoxb4 and/or other Hox genes in the generation of Tm cells, which will be tested in a mutant mouse model. Results emerged from these study will not only increase our understanding of Hoxb4 induced self-renewal, but expansion of Tm cells can be used for immunological strategies to cure disease.
Discipline: molecular and cellular biology, and immunology.
Qualifications:
- The applicant must be motivated, and predisposed to meeting the challenges involved in obtaining a graduate or postgraduate degree in Microbiology and Immunology and/or Biomedical Sciences.
- Prior research experience and knowledge of English are assets.
- The applicant must have completed a B.Sc. Or M.Sc. degree in Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, or Molecular Biology.
Grant: the candidate will be paid according to the Centre’s salary range attributed to graduate students.
Publications related to the subject:
CJ Luckey, PNAS, 2006; 2. TC Becker, J.Immunol, 2005; 3. G. Sauvageau, Genes & Dev, 1995.
Posting date: September 5, 2008
Application deadline: Position available until filled
If you are interested, please send your cover letter, resume and university transcript by e-mail to:
Dr Janetta Bijl, Assistant Research Investigator
Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre
5415 Assomption Boulevard, Montreal, QC H1T 2M4
E-mail: jbilj.hmr@ssss.gouv.qc.ca