Missions

Developing and exploiting the modularity and the high degree of addressability of self-assembled DNA nanostructures as a biosynthetic tool to probe fundamental aspects of biology. The recruited postdoc will develop two main projects:
(1) the creation of new-based DNA nanostructures as a molecular template to hold proteins to facilitate molecular imaging by single-particle Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM)
(2) the development of DNA-based nano-machines and nano-robots as a drug delivery vehicles.

Activités

As a core research activities, the postdoc candidate activities are the:
- Design and in silico modeling of DNA origami nanostructures with high modularity and sequence addressability.
- Assembly and optimization of the folding DNA origami nanostructures
- Functionalization of DNA origami with proteins, peptides, fluorophores, nanoparticles, or drug molecules using site-specific conjugation strategies.
- Development of DNA origami scaffolds to spatially organize and orient proteins for structural studies by single-particle Cryo-Electron Microscopy.
- Structural and biochemical characterization of DNA origami using TEM, AFM, Cryo-EM, gel electrophoresis, and fluorescence-based assays.
- Engineering of dynamic and stimuli-responsive DNA origami nano-machines and nano-robots (e.g., conformational switching, cargo encapsulation and release).
- Quantitative analysis of assembly efficiency, mechanical stability, and functional performance in vitro and, where relevant, in vivo.
- Data Analysis and Dissemination (analysis and interpretation of experimental data, preparation of manuscripts, contribution to grant writing and progress reporting).
- Collaboration with interdisciplinary teams including structural biologists, chemists, and bioengineers.
- Supervision and mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students.

Compétences

We are looking a highly enthusiastic motivated recently graduated PhD with a strong
expertise in DNA nanotechnology, Biophysics, Biochemistry, or Structural Biology, and a strong interest in applying this knowledge to biology. Experience in the field of Cryo-EM or in DNA origami design and visualization tools (e.g. CADnano) is highly desirable.

Contexte de travail

The postdoctoral position is proposed at CitCoM lab (Cibles Thérapeutiques et Conception de Médicaments), localized at Université Paris Cité, on the Faculty of pharmacy in Paris, France.