Missions

It is widely appreciated that nanomedicine is currently one of the cutting-edge strategies for biomedical application. In oncology, an important part of its research is devoted to the development of multifunctional nanoparticles (NP) for targeted drugs delivery or else as imaging tools for both, advanced therapeutic and diagnostic applications. However, even if huge progress has been made in the field these last decades many obstacles remain to be addressed to improve their clinical value. Specifically, a more comprehensive vision is now recommended, including multifaceted challenges in i) clearance pathways, ii) targeting strategies, iii) translational concerns/GMP, and iv) personalized medicine. To answer at these different challenges, we aim at developing innovative bioactive oligosaccharides (OS) coatings associated with extremely small iron oxide nanoparticles (ESIONP) for new targeted and personalized therapies against cancer.

The BCBS team has already developed OS-ESIONP based on heparin, carrageenan, ulvan, and laminarin (ongoing), which have shown promising results both in terms of their pharmacokinetic properties (prolonged vascular circulation time, tumor-targeting ability, renal and hepatobiliary elimination pathways) and their antitumor effects (inhibition of cancer cell migration and immunorestoration of tumor-associated macrophages). However, the current synthesis route used to produce these nanotherapeutics relies on a microwave-assisted method employing hydrazine, a known CMR-classified reducing agent. In this dynamic scientific context, we propose a 12-month postdoctoral position dedicated to developing these OS-ESIONPs using green chemistry approaches that eliminate the need for hydrazine or any other CMR compounds.

PREVIOUS PUBLICATIONS

Synthesis and Characterization of λ-Carrageenan Oligosaccharide-Based Nanoparticles: Applications in MRI and In Vivo Biodistribution Studies. M. Porta-Zapata, S. Carregal-Romero, J. Saliba, A. Urkola-Arsuaga, C. Beatriz Miranda Perez de Alejo, I. Orue, L. Martínez-Parra, D. Di Silvio, A. Descamps-Mandine, C. Daviaud, M. Menard, A. Hamami, B. Musnier, J. Cherfan, A. Codault, C. Manseur, M. Jeannin, D. Castejón, I. Fruitier-Arnaudin, J. Ruiz-Cabello, H. Groult, Biomacromolecules, 2025, doi : 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c01747

Ultrasmall Manganese Ferrites for In Vivo Catalase Mimicking Activity and Multimodal Bioimaging. S. Carregal-Romero, A. Miguel-Coello, L. Martínez-Parra, Y. Martí-Mateo, P. Hernansanz-Agustín, Y. Afonso, S. Plaza-García, L. Gutiérrez, M. Muñoz-Hernández, P. Lecante, M. Piñol-Cancer, Z. Blasco-Iturri, L. Fadón, A. Almansa-García, J. Carrillo-Romero, M. Möller, D. Otaegui, J.A Enriquez Domingez, H. Groult, J. Ruiz-Cabello, Small, 2022, 18(16):e2106570

Heparin length in the coating of extremely small iron oxide nanoparticles regulates in vivo theranostic applications H. Groult, S. Carregal Romero, D. Castejon Ferrer, M. Azkargorta, K. Reddy Pulagam, A-B Miguel Coello, K.R. Pulagam, V. Gomez-vallejo, R. Cousin,M. Caffarel,C. H. Lawrie, J. Llop, J-M. Piot, F. Elortza,, T. Maugard, J. Ruiz-Cabello and I. Fruitier-Arnaudin, Nanoscale, 2021, 13(2):842-861

Family of bioactive heparins-coated iron oxide nanoparticles with positive contrast in magnetic resonance imaging for specific biomedical applications. H. Groult, N. Poupard, F. Herranz, E. Conforto, N. Bridiau, S. Bordenave, J-M. Piot, J. Ruiz-Cabello, I. Fruitier-Arnaudin and T. Maugard, Biomacromolecules, 2017, 18(10):3156-316.

Activités

- Synthesis and purification of marine oligosaccharides (OS) from polysaccharide resources extracted from algae
- Development of green chemistry synthesis routes and advanced physicochemical characterization of the resulting OS-ESIONPs
- In vitro evaluation of anticancer bioactivities of the OS-ESIONPs and in cellulo assessment (in collaboration with other team members)
- Biodistribution studies using MRI and nuclear imaging of these new nanomedicines; depending on progress, in vivo therapeutic trials on murine tumor models may be considered
- Data processing, statistical analysis, and interpretation in light of the state of the art, for publication in peer-reviewed journals
- Presentation of results at local, regional, and international scientific meetings
- Supervision support of interns (Bachelor to Master level), contribution to project reporting and funding applications
- Participation in the day-to-day operation and organization of the laboratory

Compétences

The candidate must hold a PhD in chemistry or biochemistry, with a specialization in nanomedicine.
Skills:
Experience in organic chemistry and biochemical synthesis
Proficiency in nanoparticle characterization techniques: DLS, ELS, TEM, TGA, FTIR, relaxometry, etc.
Experience in cell culture would be appreciated
Familiarity with medical imaging is a plus
Excellent command of English (written and spoken) and strong scientific writing skills are essential
Personal qualities:
Passionate and committed to research
Strong communication skills and willingness to collaborate and share knowledge
Good interpersonal skills, attentive and open-minded
Rigorous and well-organized, able to manage multiple tasks in a reactive environment
Capable of analyzing and reporting problems and results clearly
Perseverance in research work
Teaching skills and willingness to supervise undergraduate and graduate students

Contexte de travail

LIENSs is a join research unit under the CNRS and La Rochelle University authorities, which integrates interdisciplinary expertises to address issues on the sustainable development of its main research object : the littoral zone. In this laboratory, the candidate will integrate the BCBS team (Biotechnologies and Chemistry applied to Bioresources for Health applications) whom the main objective is the development of new therapeutics prepared from ressources found in the littoral. Specifically, the candidate will work in a project funded by the ANR Nanoligo inside an emulating environment and a dynamic research group with other doctoral and post-doctoral students. Supervision will be achieved by Dr. Hugo Groult (CR CNRS) in collaboration with Pr. Ingrid Arnaudin. The project also relied on a close partnership with the CICBiomagune, a center of excellence in biomaterial research located in San-Sebastian, Spain.

Le poste se situe dans un secteur relevant de la protection du potentiel scientifique et technique (PPST), et nécessite donc, conformément à la réglementation, que votre arrivée soit autorisée par l'autorité compétente du MESR.

Contraintes et risques

Possible foreign academic stays of 1 month max possible
Usual risks and precautions related to work in organic chemistry and nanoparticulate substances
Work in a ZRR zone