Open positions

In order to gain insight into the behavior of cancer cells, we propose the development of new detection tools to study the autophagy process during cancer. This one-year “proof-of-concept” project was funded by the CEA as part of a call for “Exploratory Projects: Bottom-Up”. This interdisciplinary project is being conducted in collaboration with Ins.Gustave Roussy (Cell Biology of Organelle Networks). The process that we are targeting here is autophagy, principal homeostatic pathway that enables degradation and recycling of cellular material. The role of autophagy in cancer appears to be context-dependent. Different studies have demonstrated that autophagy can have opposing effects on tumor development. We propose a pioneering approach to study an important but unexploited feature of autophagy, namely the tension of the autophagosomal and lysosomal membranes. The membrane tension is governed by the actin network that is created on these intracellular vesicles. The polymerization of actin filaments gives rise to the formation of scaffolds for molecular motors, which exert a tensile force on the filaments. A number of regulatory proteins, including nucleation factors and their activators, also interact with actin filaments. The precise impact of nucleation factors during autophagy remains to be clarified (A). As consequence there is currently a lack of inhibitors targeting intermediate steps in autophagy (B). Thus, the objective is to develop membrane probes that will simultaneously measure membrane tension and the presence of actin regulators to clarify their role in autophagy.

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Students will learn the following techniques:

- Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy

- Setting-up in vitro biomimetic models 

- Cell culture

- Proteins purification

Students with a background in biophysics and/or biochemistry will be appreciated.

To apply, please contact me via the "Contact" menu or directly via email:

marcelina.cardoso-dos-santos@universite-paris-saclay.fr