Post-doctoral position: Synthesis and formulation of magnetic nanovectors for improved combination therapy in Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Contract: Temporary post-doctoral position starting as soon as possible (18 months)
Skill area: Chemistry, synthesis, and functionalization of SPION, formulation of nanovectors

Presentation of the research laboratory (UPR CNRS 4301 CBM – NMNS, Tours):
The research unit « Nanomedicines and Nanoprobes » is a department of the UPR CNRS 4301 Center for Molecular Biophysics and is situated at the faculty of pharmacy of the University of Tours. The research activity of this unit focuses on the development and the study of biocompatible nanosystems for therapeutic and/or diagnostic applications.

Missions:
The candidate will be integrated in a collaborative project entitled “Magnetic control for improved combination therapy in Triple Negative Breast Cancer (MAGCOT)”, including three French teams and one Italian team, funded by the Institut National du Cancer (INCa, PLBIO22). In the first part of the project, two types of peptides were synthesized by the Italian partner of the project, the first one was conjugated to Paclitaxel for a specific mitochondrial delivery, and the second one was conjugated to functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) for a specific TNBC cell delivery by the NMNS team. The next step is to formulate coloaded magnetic nanovectors with siRNA and chemotherapeutics (NV-si-CT) and to use an external magnetic field to improve the combination therapy in Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). The work of the candidate is to optimize and adapt the synthesis protocols to obtain NV-si-CT in order to evaluate them on TNBC models in collaboration with the two other teams of the project. The candidate will be the link between the different teams.

Candidate profile:
The applicant should posses a solid experience (PhD) in chemistry. An expertise in the synthesis and functionalization of nanovectors is wanted as well as an expertise in formulation and characterization techniques. Skills in biological evaluation of the obtained nanovectors will be a strong asset.

Contact and candidature:
Dr. Stephanie DAVID
stephanie.david@univ-tours.fr

Web-page of the laboratory NMNS :
https://nmns.univ-tours.fr/