Missions

Working as part of the "Hematopoiesis and Immunotherapy" team (http://www.igmm.cnrs.fr/team/hematopoiese-et-immunotherapie/) and in close collaboration with the Clinical Hematology Department at Montpellier University Hospital, the engineer will be involved in the development of a project to identify and characterize the factors impacting the efficacy of CAR-T lymphocytes used in the treatment of patients, particularly lymphoma patients, using ex vivo and in vivo approaches (primary human cells from patients or healthy donors and mouse models). One of the aims of this study is to assess the importance of metabolism on T-cell functionality as part of an anti-tumor response, in order to improve the development of these immunotherapies. The engineer will also be involved in monitoring the clinical data collection and CAR-T bank biothèque promoted by the Montpellier CHU (NCT NCT04290000 ).

Activités

- Collaborative work carried out both in the research laboratory at the IGMM and in the clinical hematology department of Montpellier University Hospital/CHU - Work on primary human T cells (carried out in L2 laboratory, requiring PPE -overshoes, gowns, gloves- and the handling of human cells). - Work on living animals (carried out in the animal house, requiring PPE - overshoes, surgery gowns, gloves, mask) - Variable working hours depending on the experiments in progress - Work in the haematology department on patients' medical files for around ½ day a week, requiring a confidentiality agreement.

Compétences

-The candidate must have a strong background in immunology/hematology, and expertise in several of the following areas would be appreciated: human primary cell culture, virology (viral particle production, titration assays, transduction), molecular and cell biology techniques such as quantitative PCR, flow cytometry analysis, Incucyte and in vivo experiments in mice (level 1 animal experimentation would be an asset). Experience in metabolic analysis with an interest in bioinformatics would be a plus. The candidate must be highly motivated, dynamic and rigorous in his or her work, with good communication and adaptation skills, team spirit and strong organizational skills. Experience in writing contracts will be an undeniable asset.

Contexte de travail

The Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier (IGMM) is a joint research unit of the CNRS and the University of Montpellier, with a staff of 220 divided into 16 research groups. The IGMM is a multidisciplinary institute whose work has an international impact in both fundamental and applied molecular and cellular biology (www.igmm.cnrs.fr). The campus provides access to state-of-the-art scientific and technological facilities, particularly in genomics, imaging and flow cytometry. The candidate will be assigned to the "Hematopoiesis and Immunotherapy" team led by V. Zimmermann and N. Taylor, but will also work closely with the Clinical Hematology Department headed by G. Cartron at Montpellier University Hospital. The hematology department at CHU was one of the first to be able to use commercial CAR T cell therapies in France, and has acquired extensive clinical experience and built up a biotheque enabling translational research.
The development of this project will also benefit from well-established collaborations in France and the United States.

Contraintes et risques

- Work on primary human T cells (carried out in L2 laboratory, requiring PPE -, gowns, gloves- and the handling of human cells implies the need to take biological risk into account) - Work on living animals (carried out in the animal house, requiring PPE -overshoes, gowns, gloves, mask)