M/F Doctor- Multi-omic profiling and AI-driven reprogramming strategies to enhance cell therapy in regenerative medicine

Job Description

Thesis Subject

PhD Opportunity: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) — and particularly adipose-derived stem/stromal cells (ASCs) due to their clinical accessibility — hold immense promise for regenerative medicine and cell therapy. However, clinical translation remains hampered by cellular heterogeneity, variable efficacy, and a lack of standardized characterization. Recently, our team identified a distinct and highly active subpopulation of subcutaneous adipose tissue ASCs (sSAT-ASCs) that actively migrates to injured muscle to stimulate tissue repair. To turn these discoveries into a concrete therapeutic strategy, we aim to map the molecular signatures of this high-potential subpopulation and develop computational strategies to reprogram heterogeneous or suboptimal clinical ASCs into standardized, high-performance cell therapy products.
To decipher what sets these mobilized ASCs apart from others, the candidate will integrate published and in-house multi-omic datasets (e.g., scRNA-seq, bulk transcriptomics, epigenomics) from adipose and muscle tissues during aging and regeneration.
Leveraging these multi-omic insights alongside advanced bioinformatic workflows and computational/AI tools, the candidate will identify potential pharmacological targets and molecules capable of reprogramming suboptimal or clinical ASCs toward high-efficacy regenerative phenotypes.
This work will yield fundamental insights into cell fate decision mechanisms, particularly during aging, and lay the foundation for novel targeted cell therapies and rejuvenation strategies.

Your Work Environment

The RESTORE Institute is a transdisciplinary fundamental research center based in Toulouse at the Oncopôle Langlade site. It conducts original research dedicated to a global exploration of the origins of age-related physiological alterations in order to propose innovative applications in geroscience and rejuvenation. A joint research unit (CNRS-EFS-INSERM), Restore has been hosted in a new building since 2021, bringing together around 100 scientists across four autonomous teams built around a CERT (Center for Expertise and Technological Resources). The center conducts highly collaborative, multidisciplinary research combining experimental, theoretical, and clinical approaches.
The host team, "Stromagics", led by Coralie Sengenès, comprises 15 people and focuses on tissue repair and regeneration via the circulation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) between tissues. The scientific objectives of Stromagics are: i) to identify the molecular and cellular characteristics of mobilizable adipose stem cells (ASCs) and the mechanisms regulating this unique dynamics, and ii) to characterize this dynamics in the context of aging. The project will also be conducted in collaboration with the MOBIDIC team in Rennes, with Dr. David Roulois serving as project director.

Constraints and risks

• Working hours may need to be adapted based on project progress.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2300 € gross monthly

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

The research professions