PhD Student – Kisspeptin Signaling in Reproduction and Energy Metabolism

A PhD position is available in the Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain (Lille Neuroendocrinology) headed by Dr. Prevot and Dr Giacobini at the Lille Neuroscience & Cognition research center at the University of Lille, Lille, France, under the supervision of Dr. Daniela Fernandois.

The post holder will be involved in a research program entitled: KissME – Kisspeptin signaling in Metabolism and Endocrinology: Integrating Peripheral and Central Regulation of Reproduction and Energy Balance (ANR JCJC)

Reproduction is energetically costly and is therefore tightly coupled to metabolic status. Kisspeptin (KP) and its receptor Kiss1R are essential gatekeepers of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis, but KP is also produced by peripheral organs such as the gonads and the placenta and released into the circulation. Whether this circulating KP acts as a genuine endocrine signal to the brain remains an open question.

The KissME project proposes that tanycytes, the specialized ependymoglial cells lining the third ventricle, are key integrators of peripheral and central KP signals, thereby coordinating reproductive and metabolic functions. Our preliminary data show that tanycytes express a functional Kiss1R and that its selective knockdown alters LH release, estrous cyclicity and the anorectic response to peripheral KP.

Within this framework, the PhD project will address:

The contribution of testes, ovaries and placenta to circulating kisspeptin across reproductive states, ageing, gestation and metabolic challenges (LC-MS/MS quantification)

The role of tanycytic Kiss1R signaling in the hypothalamic circuits controlling reproduction and energy balance, and the dissection of peripheral versus central KP actions (viral knockdown, chemogenetics, metabolic phenotyping)

The consequences of reduced gonadal and placental kisspeptin for hypothalamic function and brain-wide connectivity (transcriptomics, ultra-high-field MRI)

Altogether, the project will establish whether circulating kisspeptin is a bona fide endocrine messenger to the brain and identify tanycytes as critical effectors of this signal, with direct relevance for infertility, pregnancy complications, menopause and metabolic disease.

The position is full time for three years (36 months), funded by the ANR JCJC project KissME. The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Doctoral School Biologie-Santé of the University of Lille.

SKILLSET

1. Mouse animal handling, including substance administration (intraperitoneal, intravenous, intracerebroventricular and subcutaneous) and, ideally, stereotaxic surgery

2. Tissue sectioning (vibratome, cryostat), fluorescence and confocal imaging

3. Immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization (RNAscope) and molecular biology (RNA extraction, RT-qPCR, western blot)

4. Metabolic and reproductive phenotyping (indirect calorimetry, body composition, glucose and insulin tolerance tests, estrous cycle monitoring, LH pulsatility)

5. Data/statistical analysis and curation (GraphPad Prism, R or Python)

6. English at a basic communication level (reading, writing and oral presentation of scientific work); French is an asset but not required.

MISSIONS AND ACTIVITIES

1. Participation in the research project KissME (organizing the scientific work, conducting experiments, analyzing the results etc.)

2. Participation in the scientific lab meetings of the laboratory

3. Introducing and setting up new experimental protocols (e.g., ex vivo perifusion of gonads to measure kisspeptin release, sample preparation for LC-MS/MS quantification of plasma kisspeptin)

4. Analysis of scientific data, statistic analysis and preparation of figures

5. Collaboration with the animal facility and with the imaging, cytometry, metabolic phenotyping, metabolomics (IMPACT-PM, Lille) and MRI (NeuroSpin, Saclay) platforms

6. Participation in the preparation and submission of research papers affiliated to the respective research projects

7. Compliance with animal welfare and 3Rs regulations, including contribution to the preparation of ethical protocols (possibility to be acquired)

8. Presentation of key results and representation of the lab activities in national and international congresses

9. Participation in the Doctoral School training programme and tutoring of Master’s students