A postdoctoral position is open for 2 years (2007-2008) at INRA, the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (http://www.inra.fr) to study the effects of a high protein diet onto the maturation of the intestinal barrier in newborn rats with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).
Neonates born small for gestational age, who suffered intrauterine growth restriction, account for over 2% of the 800,000 babies born yearly in France, when IUGR is defined as a birth weight <2.5kg at full term. So as to ensure rapid catch up growth, these infants are routinely fed “enriched” formulas that deliver >70% more protein than human milk.It has been known for a decade that alterations induced by nutrition in early life may have adverse, long term consequences on the risk of developing chronic disease such as obesity, hypertension or inflammatory bowel disease in adulthood. Yet the effects of a high neonatal protein intake on gut structure and function, and on the risk of developing intestinal disease, are still unknown (Grant from French National Research Agency – ANR-05-PNRA-009-02).For this post-doctoral position, a single animal model will be used : the newborn, IUGR, rat equipped with a gastrostomy tube at 5 days of life (“pup in the cup” model), so as to allow the delivery of all nutrients via a gastrostomy until weaning. The PHAN research unit (Physiology of Nutritional Adaptation) has gained experience in the production of IUGR rats, born from protein deprived mothers, and has developed a pup in the cup model in normal newborn rat. With the help of technicians from the animal care facility, the candidate will have to 1) set up the use of the “pup in the cup” model for IUGR newborn rate, and 2) conduct experiments using this model to test the effects of artificial rat milk with different protein contents, on functions of rat gut. The studies will initially focus on the short term effects (3-4 weeks), and we will further determine whether these putative short term effects are associated with ‘’nutritional imprinting’’ in the “long term” (2-3 months).
Organisation - INRA (French National Institute for Agricultural Research)
Division/Faculty/Department - PHAN
Street - Rue de la Géraudière
City - NANTES Cedex 3
Postal Code - 44316
Country - FRANCE
Phone - 33 (0)2 40 67 50 93
Fax - 33 (0)2 40 67 50 12
E-Mail - boquien@nantes.inra.fr
Website - www.inra.fr
Application Deadline - 15/11/2006
Candidates must have significant expertise in animal experimentation. A good knowledge in the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract would be greatly appreciated, with expertise in descriptive and global techniques (histo-morphometry, molecular biology,…) and for assessment of gene expression with no a priori hypothesis.
All the applicants with a doctorate degree are eligible. Applications must contain a curriculum vitae, a letter of intent explaining your motivations and two references (scientists).
