PhD grant / Wound healing on a chip: a model to study interactions between diabetes & wound healing.

RECRUITING ORGANIZATION & FUNDING

CEA, France. Biomics Lab (PI: Dr. Nathalie Picollet-D’hahan) and LSMB Lab (co-supervisor; Remco Den Dulk)

Starting date: 01.10.2019

ABSTRACT

All types of diabetes are associated with multiple chronic complications, such as slowing wound healing and injury. We propose to develop an ex vivo model of pancreas substitute (“pancreas-on-a-chip”) as a model of pancreas / skin co-culture to study the influence of diabetic Langerhans islets on wound healing. The “organ-on-a-chip” (OoC) technology has emerged in the 2010s to reproduce a given physiological functionality on a microfluidic chip. This field is expanding rapidly and is generating growing interest among the pharmaceutical industry. This topic includes 3D cell engineering, OoC and microfluidic instrumentation, as well as secretome and tissue analysis. This project could open new therapeutic perspectives for patients with chronic wounds.

JOB DESCRIPTION & CONTEXT

The recruited researcher will work in the Biomics lab, in an interdisciplinary team focusing research in developing new models for human (organoids, organ-on-chip, 3D bioprinting). This project is part of a collaborative environment (IRIG / LETI), in direct interaction with Hospital, source of the human cells of interest. Finally, the European project ORCHID (https://h2020-orchid.eu/) will offer opportunities to the candidate to interact with experts of OoC and valorize his thesis work through international conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals. The objectives of the thesis are:

1. to perform on a chip co-cultures of pancreatic organoids and skin tissues- and multi – omic analysis of the secretome (transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic);
2. to study the influence of diabetic Langerhans islets on wound healing of the skin
3. (to characterize the negative effectors of wound healing.

QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE

Applicant will be ideally equipped with a multidisciplinary background ranging from biology to microfluidic chip engineering.

• Early-stage researcher (e.g. Master-II).
• Graduation in the field of biology, biomedical engineering or related fields
• Basic knowledge of 3D cell models (pancreas and skin models is a plus), cell culture, microfluidics, biochips.
• Practical experience of 3D cell culture & differentiation, organoids generation and fluorescence microscopy is a plus.
• Well-structured and autonomous working style, good organizational and communication skills.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is a must.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please send your CV, a half-page summary of master thesis, a letter of motivation (research experience and interests) and contact information (two academic referees) by e-mail to: nathalie.picollet-dhahan@cea.fr.