Post-Doctoral Position (M/W) : Bio-Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles For Intra-Cellular Targeting

12 May 2023

Job Information

Organisation/Company

CNRS

Department

Department of chemistry

Research Field

Chemistry » Applied chemistry

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

France

Application Deadline

1 Jun 2023 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Offer Starting Date

1 Oct 2023

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) are widely studied for biomedical applications such as magnetic hyperthermia to induce cancer cells death, drug delivery or cellular engineering1,2. In the scope of the ANR JCJC IPALoWa, we study the stimulation of functionalized magnetic nanoparticles to activate intracellular processes such as cellular differentiation and neurites growth. The goal of this project is to locally warm up a thermo-sensitive heat shock protein (HSP) by magnetic hyperthermia. Hence, an antibody immobilization at the surface of MNP3 is required to target the protein of interest. The main issue using MNP for these purposes is their entry into the cell: nanoparticles undergo an endocytosis pathway which leads to their trapping in small vesicles called endosomes4, preventing them from diffusing within the cytosol to target intracellular proteins and reducing their generation of heat under an alternative magnetic field5. Therefore, a labile peptide functionalization of MNP that has already been optimized by our team is needed in order to reach the cell cytosol by a proton sponge effect6.

The recruited post-doc will be in charge of the synthesis and characterization of magnetic core-shell nanoparticles and their subsequent functionalization with an antibody in an oriented fashion, in order to keep its specificity towards its target, thanks to thiol chemistry. The double functionalization of MNP surface by the antibody and the peptide will be then conducted. These nanohybrids will be thoroughly characterized and the intracellular targeting will be assessed in vitro in neuronal cells by fluorescence microscopy.

References:

1 Cardoso, V.F. et al. , Adv. Healthc. Mater. 7, 1700845 (2018) ; 2 Monzel, C. et al. , Chem. Sci. 8, 7330-7338 (2017) ; 3 Jeong, S. et al. , Nanoscale 9, 2548-2555 (2017) ; Secret, E. et al. , Adv. Healthcare Mater., 2, 718–727 (2013) 4 Conner, S. D. & Schmid, S. L. Nature 422, 37- 44 (2003) ; 5 Di Corato, R. et al. , Biomaterials 35, 6400-6411 (2014) ; 6 Le Jeune et al. , ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 14, 15021-15034 (2022)

Specific techniques or methods:

- Synthesis of core-shell magnetic nanoparticles made of an iron oxide core and a silica shell, with a diameter smaller than 75 nm.

- Oriented functionalization of the MNP with an antibody. Dual functionalization with an antibody and a peptide.

- Characterization of the functionalized MNP (TEM, DLS, zetametry, AAS, fluorescence, ITC…)

- ELISA, SDS-PAGE

- Cell culture, fluorescence and confocal microscopy

Candidate profile: We are looking for a highly motivated chemist, really interested by research at the interface between chemistry, nanomaterials and biology. An acquired experience with bio-functionalization of nanomaterials, especially with antibodies would be appreciated. Experience in cell culture is a plus. English is mandatory, French is a plus.

Period: 1-year contract, starting in September or October 2023

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

We are looking for a highly motivated chemist, really interested by research at the interface between chemistry, nanomaterials and biology. An acquired experience with bio-functionalization of nanomaterials, especially with antibodies would be appreciated. Experience in cell culture is a plus.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Additional Information Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Laboratoire PHENIX

Country

France

City

Paris

Postal Code

75005

Street

4 place Jussieu

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https: // emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR8234-EMISEC-002/Default.aspx?lang=EN

Contact

City

Paris

Street

4 place jussieu

Postal Code

75005

STATUS: EXPIRED