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Laboratory of virology and genetics LVG

Close to half of the human genome is derived from retroelements, amongst which endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) closely related to the human immunodeficiency virus. Although essential motors of evolution, these genetic invaders need to be tightly control, an action exerted through their transcriptional repression at the earliest embryonic stages. About 1’200 of the 20’000 genes contained in the human genome encode for transcriptional regulators, including some four hundred KRAB-containing zinc finger proteins (KRAB-ZFPs). KRAB-ZFPs are tetrapod-restricted, sequence-specific DNA binding transcriptional repressors, which act by triggering the formation of heterochromatin through their universal cofactor KAP1. KRAB-ZFP genes have been subjected to intense positive selection during evolution. At least partly explaining this phenomenon, we uncovered that KRAB-ZFPs and KAP1 are responsible for the early embryonic silencing of endogenous retroviruses, a class of rapidly evolving retrotransposons. This regulatory system thus probably first developed as an antiviral defense mechanism. Our ongoing work demonstrates that it has now been co-opted to function as a master regulator of mammalian homeostasis
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OPEN POSITION
The SEVENTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
offers 1 PhD position within the Marie Curie Initial Training Network INGENIUM :
Epigenetics associated with human disease
CONTACTS
HEAD OF LABORATORY
Prof. Didier Trono
didier.trono@epfl.ch
Phone : +41 (0) 21 693 17 51 / +41 (0) 21 693 16 34
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Dr. Priscilla Turelli
priscilla.turelli@epfl.ch
Phone : +41 (0) 21 693 18 11
ADMINISTRATION
Séverine Reynard
severine.reynard@epfl.ch
Phone : +41 (0) 21 693 17 61
Fax : +41 (0) 21 693 95 38
ADDRESS
EPFL-SV-GHI-LVG
Station 19
CH-1015 Lausanne
How to get there
MAPS AND DIRECTIONS
Positions
Positions in Tronolab
If you are interested in working with us please email your CV and names of 3 referees to Didier Trono