The Service de Recherches en Hémato-Immunologie (SRHI) is seeking to welcome a postdoctoral scientist on a 4 year appointment starting early/mid 2024. The main objective of his/her research will be to develop studies on the theme of immune tolerance related to the design of next-generation skin substitutes with regenerative potential.
The offer is part of a project relating to skin cell and tissue therapies: acronym ‘Bioengineered Skin-France’. The more global context is the ‘Priority Research Program and Equipment’ (PEPR) ‘Biotherapies and Bioproduction of Innovative Therapies’ (BBTI), supported as part of the ‘France 2030’ acceleration strategy. The overall program is carried out within a multidisciplinary consortium bringing together five teams with complementary upstream-downstream skills: stem cell biology, immunology, biomaterials, pre-clinical and clinical research (CEA / AP-HP / SSA).
Skin grafts require technological innovations, which will be brought by the cultured skin graft bioengineering field. This program focuses on two factors conditioning their therapeutic success: a) the qualitative and quantitative preservation of keratinocyte stem cells during the phase of ex vivo cell expansion and three-dimensional tissue reconstruction, the post-graft durability of the reconstructed tissue being particularly dependent on these cells; b) keeping under control the immune reactions which can have a negative impact on the outcome of skin grafts, the phenomenon of immune rejection constituting a major limitation to the use of allogeneic cells for the bio-production of skin grafts.
The Postdoctoral scientist will be involved in the second component of the program which objective is the design of a new skin engineered tissue having the property of mitigating the harmful activation of the immune system. This strategy aims to take advantage of the properties of the HLA-G immune checkpoint, involved in the acceptance of the fetus by the mother and more generally in immune tolerance. The principle consists in modifying skin cells to allow a controllable vector-driven production of HLA-G. Reconstituted skin substitute producing HLA-G will be studied for their tolerogenic properties.
The SRHI, a service within the Franç ois Jacob Institute of Biology CEA, is located at Saint-Louis Hospital (Paris) and is part of the U976 INSERM Unit (Team 10). It offers a highly stimulating scientific environment with access to all facilities (spectral flow cytometry, cell sorting, imaging, genomics, protein biochemistry…) and strong interactions with clinicians.
Expected skills and competences:
- PhD in immunology
- Background in stem cell biology and/or skin biology preferred.
- Mastering of 2D cell-culture techniques (primary human cells), expertise in 3D culture systems welcome.
- Flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, western blot, RT-PCR.
- Manipulation of viral vectors.
- Teamwork, autonomy, ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment.
Contract information :
- Type : post-doctoral fellowship (CEA contract)
- Duration : 48 months
- Start date : Mid 2024
- Location : Paris (Hôpital Saint-Louis)
Contacts :
Nathalie ROUAS-FREISS,
[email protected]
Joël LEMAOULT, [email protected]
CEA – IBFJ/SRHI/ IRSL/ HIPI Unit
Hôpital Saint-Louis, 1 avenue Claude
Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France
