Missions

Postdoctoral Position in Bioorganic Chemistry / Chemical Biology

Complex sugars (CS) are key ligands for modulating the pharmacological properties of proteins, triggering specific cellular responses, and enabling targeted vectorization in biotherapies. There is therefore strong interest in developing new, rapid, and efficient methods for protein functionalization with CS, as a complement to current enzymatic or metabolic engineering approaches, which are generally limited to the grafting of simple sugars.

We have recently developed an innovative electrochemical bioconjugation strategy that allows the site-selective anchoring of a chemical handle onto tyrosine residues of proteins by applying a simple electrical potential in solution. This electro-bioconjugation reaction occurs within minutes, providing a fast and biocompatible process for the functionalization of viral vectors, bacteria, and even whole cells, without compromising their viability (Nat. Commun., 2023, 14, 5122; Chem. Sci., 2021, 12, 15374-15381; J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2018, 140, 17120-17126).

In this project, the successful candidate will develop the chemical synthesis of CS conjugates, functionalized with a dedicated chemical handle. These compounds will then be grafted electrochemically onto viral vectors and immune cells, with applications in gene therapy and anticancer immunotherapy.

Activités

-Chemical synthesis of functionalized sugars
-Electrochemical bioconjugation reactions on peptides, proteins, viral vectors, and cells
-Characterization of the resulting products
-Preparation of progress reports
-Presentation of research findings at conferences

Compétences

-Expertise in bioorganic chemistry, glycochemistry, or chemical biology
-Ability to work independently
-Strong teamwork skills
-Ability to communicate and disseminate research findings effectively

Contexte de travail

The recruited postdoctoral researcher will work in close collaboration with Sébastien Gouin within the CORAIL team at the CEISAM laboratory (Nantes Université). Chemical synthesis reactions as well as electrochemical couplings on proteins will be carried out at CEISAM facilities. The researcher will also conduct coupling experiments on cells in partnership with other teams in Nantes, in particular at the TaRGeT laboratory, under the supervision of Mathieu Mével.

Contraintes et risques

Risks inherent to organic synthesis