Post-Doctoral position – endothelial dynamics in 3D chiral fiber microenvironments

Post-Doctoral position – endothelial dynamics in 3D chiral fiber microenvironmentsOrganization: Institut CurieThis project will be carried out at Institut Curie, a leading French cancer center combining amultidisciplinary research center and hospital, and at Chimie ParisTech, a chemistry engineeringschool and active research center with expertise ranging from synthetic and physical to materialchemistry. It will be performed in the frame of a dynamic collaborative project between Sylvie Coscoy(team Biology-inspired Physics at Mesoscales, Curie) and Vincent Semetey (team Materials, Interfaceand Soft Matter). The post-doc will take place in the context of this global project developinginnovative approaches to build reconstituted 3D fiber architectures perfectly controlled in ageometrical, chemical and mechanical point of views, in order to study fundamental mechanisms ofcell-fiber dynamic interactions. This project benefits from a strong collaborative network, withimportant interactions for this post-doc with Catherine Monnot (Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers),expert in angiogenesis and endothelial cell behavior. Institut Curie and Chimie ParisTech are bothlocated in the center of Paris, in close proximity, and the project benefits from the rich infrastructureof both institutes (state-of-the-art imaging platform, cell culture, microfluidics and microfabrication,modeling of biophysical phenomena; chemical surface analysis equipments and wide expertise inchemistry), with a two-photon polymerization set-up specifically dedicated to the project.ProjectThis project aims to decipher fundamental aspects involved in endothelial cell behavior in relation tothe geometric and mechanical characteristics of the 3D microenvironment. Cell dynamics in a matrixwith 3D chiral micron-scale properties remains largely unexplored, despite growing evidence of theinfluence of chirality on cell migration and differentiation. We propose to use a two-photonpolymerization-based microfabrication system, in which we have previously observed geometry-triggered phenotypes evocative of angiogenesis initiation, to build tube networks with 3D spiral chiralfibers, with tunable geometrical, chemical and mechanical characteristics. In these microstructures,we will study 3D cell polarity, the dynamics of filopodia and the forces at play, as well as migrationand multicellular dynamics including early steps of endothelial multicellular engagement. This projectis based on ongoing innovative developments for the generation of controlled 3D fiber arrays, andwill involve image analysis developments to capture dynamic properties of endothelial cell-fiberinteractions at subcellular and multicellular scales.Candidate profileA variety of profiles and PhD backgrounds will be considered for the position: applicants with PhDeither in physics, biomechanics, cell biology or image analysis could be a good match for the project.An interdisciplinary motivation is recommended. Technologies used in the project will includechemistry and microfabrication by two-photon polymerization for the creation of new 3Dmicrostructures promoting multicellular engagement and collective migration, cell culture, liveimaging by spinning disk or Lattice Light Sheet microscopy, forces measurements, and image and dataanalysis. The initial training will be adapted according to the post-doc background in biology, chemistryor physics. The subject may involve developments in image analysis for the detection of subcellularand cellular features in 3D fiber networks, and a strong motivation or previous experience in using anddeveloping AI-based methods for image analysis would be a good asset for the project.Postdoctoral funding is available for one year. After this period, selected applicants will be encouragedand supported to apply for external postdoctoral grants/fellowships on this project, with an alternativepossibility to join other related funded projects in the “3D fibers” consortium.Contacts #J-18808-Ljbffr