Skeletal muscle adaptations can be modulated by environmental factors through potential alterations in muscle epigenome that could lead to the good vs. bad responders phenomenon. This project relies on original approaches to link environmental changes to cellular mechanisms that could explain some specific muscle adaptations, based on an original preclinical model developed in the Wistar rat in our laboratory. Among environmental factors, hypoxia and inflammation appear to have a significant inhibitory effect on the hypertrophic capacities of skeletal muscle as suggested by our previous work (Chabert et al. PMID: 28935884). The metabolism, as a supplier of metabolic groups necessary to the epigenetic labeling, could be a key actor involved in these particular regulations. We will now study the correlations existing between these marks and the functional capacities at the organism level to the cellular level through access to the preclinical experimental platform of the LBFA. It will beneficiate from a scientific network with local and international collaborators, experts in epigenetics.
The PhD program will be dedicated: 1/ to characterize the role of such factors as regulators of the muscle mass control, 2/ to characterize the muscle epigenome (DNA methylation and histone acetylation), with a focus of the different fiber types, using the analysis of the chromatin modifying enzymes and the quantitation of specific microRNAs (myomiRs). Results will be correlated with functional parameters such as dynamic endurance, strength capacities in vivo. Regulators of DNA methyltransferases or histone-modifying enzymes will then be used as tools to modulate the epigenome in order to confirm the importance of chromatin modifications in these adaptative responses.
For more informations and to apply (deadline July 8, 2022), please see either:
https://www.abg.asso.fr/fr/candidatOffres/show/id_offre/106002/job/epigenetics-and-skeletal-muscle-hypertrophic-capacities
https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/793531
