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Offer for a Thesis AllowanceSubject : Rainbow trout amino acid metabolism: from amino acid uptake to outcomes on trout physiology
From January 24, 2018 to April 1, 2018
Thesis subject
Abstract
Fisheries and aquaculture remain important sources of food, nutrition, income and livelihoods for hundreds of millions of people around the world. World per capita fish supply reached a new record high of 20 kg in 2014, thanks to vigorous growth in aquaculture, which now provides half of all fish for human consumption (FAO, 2016). Aquaculture therefore plays an increasingly important role in the global food system, the environment, and human health. However, the sustainability of this practice, which requires large inputs of wild fish for feed, has been questioned. Thus, the replacement of fishmeal and fish oil by proteins and oil of alternative origin is a major objective for sustainable aquaculture, and needs improving scientific knowledge in order to optimize fish growth potential while maintaining aquatic products quality and lowering environmental impacts.
One of the most striking nutritional characteristics of most fish farmed in Europe is their high protein requirement. Indeed, if most mammals require about 15% of their diet as a protein source to be healthy, in most of aquacultured fish species this value reaches 45% demonstrating their strong and specific dependency on amino acid metabolism. Previous studies in rainbow trout, notably from our laboratory, identified the deleterious outcomes of in-balanced amino acid diets on growth and health but the molecular mechanisms involved in these effects still need to be clarified.
Key words: mTOR, amino acid metabolism, autophagy, growth factor, fish, aquaculture
Working conditions
Hosting laboratory: UMR1419 INRA-UPPA NuMeA
Website: https://www6.bordeaux-aquitaine.inra.fr/st_pee_eng/UR-NuMeA
Thesis Director: Iban Seilliez
Thesis Co-Director: Florian Beaumatin
Localisation address: Aquapôle, 64310 St-Pee-sur-Nivelle, France
Starting date: September 2018
Length: 3 years
Employer: Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour (UPPA)
Gross monthly salary: 1878 € (including extra gratification for teaching duties – 32h/year)
Laboratory expertise
The UMR1419 INRA-UPPA Nutrition, Metabolism, Aquaculture (NuMéA) of the Aquapole of Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle has a long history of research in the field of farmed fish nutrition. Its research is part of a global expansion of aquaculture and the need to find alternatives to the use of fish meal and fish oil in aquaculture feeds to ensure the sustainable development of aquaculture.
Mission - Main activities
Scientific framework
Despite that amino acids were previously shown to activate the mechanistic Target Of Rapamycin Complex 1 (mTORC1) in trout – a protein complex responsible for cell growth and proliferation – nothing is known about the mechanisms by which amino acids are up-taken in trout.
Purpose(s)
In this context, we propose to study amino acid metabolism in rainbow trout, from specific amino acid transporter activities to signalling pathways governed by amino acids. Aware that amino acid transporters are crucial players in mammals for mTORC1 activation, we aim to identify amino acid transporters in trout and study their specificities as well as the outcomes of their different expression levels on trout metabolism and physiology.
Expected results
Altogether this study will considerably help to better understand amino acid metabolism in trout and will offer new strategies to develop appropriate diets for trout aquaculture.
Research collaborations
The successful candidate will work in a young and dynamic group in close collaborations with local, national and international talented scientists. He/she will also be given the opportunity to be involved in the teaching program of the University of Pau for a total of 32 hours per years.
Required skills and competences
The ideal candidate has a master degree in biochemistry or cellular biology. He/She is passionate for biology, rigorous and highly motivated. A previous experience in molecular and cell biology techniques would be a plus. The candidate must have a good English level and the capacity to work autonomously.
Application - Evaluation criteria
Application file assessment: Selection committee
Candidates will first be selected based on their application file.
Those selected after this first step, will then be interviewed.
Application files will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Grades and ranking during your Master degree, steadiness in your academic background
- English language proficiency
- Candidate’s ability to present her/his work and results
Work experience similar to an internship in a laboratory – or likewise; previously achieved research work (reports, publications).
Application file composition et submission deadline
Your application file must be sent by mail and should be made up of the following documents:
- CV
- Cover letter
- Master degree grade transcripts and ranking
- Reference letter
- Contact details of at least two people, from you work environment, who can be contacted for further reference
Submission deadline : 1st of April 2018
Contact person
Florian Beaumatin : PhD.Postdoc.E2S.NuMeA @ gmail.com
