Project
Neuropathic pain is a common chronic pain condition caused by a lesion or disease of the
somatosensory nervous system and has major impact on quality of life. We and others have shown that
peripheral injury of the nervous system induces disinhibition in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, which
unmasks tactile, innocuous inputs to superficial projection neurons that normally respond exclusively to
noxious input. This mechanism sustains abnormal cutaneous mechanical hypersensitivity, i.e.
mechanical allodynia,” that is an invalidating symptom of neuropathic pain. A recent study demonstrated
that transient optogenetic stimulation of spinal astrocytes could produce mechanical allodynia in naive
rats showing that astrocyte activation is sufficient to drive the induction of pain. In this project, we aim
to explore the circuits by which astrocyte activation leads to mechanical hypersensitivity” and thus
discover new mechanisms of neuropathic pain. The question will be investigated through a combination
of state of the art approaches, such as viral tools, systematic transcriptomic analysis and 2-photon
calcium imaging, in addition to electrophysiological, morphological, biochemical, molecular,
pharmacological, and behavioral approaches.

This project is funded by IDEX/I-Site

Laboratory: Neuro-Dol, Inserm/UCA U1107, Clermont-Ferrand
Neuro-Dol brings together clinicians (odontologists, anesthetists, neurologists and psychologists) and
neurobiologists to carry out research on pain from the cellular to the human level. Our first aim is to
elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic pain. The laboratory has both large (~800 m2)
and modern premises, which make it possible to welcome new researchers and teacher-researchers
and to develop new technological approaches. All the fundamental themes of pain research are tackled
in a multidisciplinary way, combining the most modern neuroscience techniques (electrophysiology,
behavior study, morphology, molecular biology…).

Candidate profile
The candidate should hold a Master’s degree in Neuroscience. It is an advantage if the candidate has
already used electrophysiological techniques and is familiar with behavioral analysis and/or viral
injection techniques.
The candidate will benefit from a training period in an international laboratory and will present the results
of his/her work at national and/or international conferences.

How to apply
The application will need to include: • CV (2 pages), • Diploma (copy) of Master degree or equivalent
degree which formally entitles to embark on a doctorate, including annexes with marks/ranking, • Cover
letter (1 page), • Names and contact details of two referees, who agreed to provide recommendation
letters

Deadline: 30 September 2024
Contract Length: 3 years
City: Clermont-Ferrand
Country: France
Contact:
Prof Radhouane DALLEL,
Neuro-Dol, Inserm/UCA U1107, Clermont-Ferrand
radhouane.dallel@uca.fr