Description du sujet de thèse

The PhD project aims to establish new analytical methods to explore host-pathogen interactions during infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the infectious agent responsible for tuberculosis. We will develop single-cell proteomics approaches, enabling unbiased analysis of the protein content of individual cells, in order to precisely characterize the different immune cells in lung tissue and gain a deeper understanding of the biological processes involved in the defense against Mtb infection. We will also develop ultra-sensitive mass spectrometry methods to detect Mtb-derived proteins within infected cells and study how Mtb evades our immune defenses. Beyond tuberculosis, the innovative technologies developed here will be valuable for studying a wide range of diseases, including cancer and autoimmune disorders.

Contexte de travail

The IPBS (Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology) is a joint research center of the CNRS and the University of Toulouse, located at the heart of the main campus of the University of Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier, which offers high-level multidisciplinary training in science, health, and engineering. The IPBS currently hosts over 250 scientific and administrative staff, including more than 40 PhD students and postdoctoral researchers from various nationalities. The institute is composed of 18 research teams working in the fields of inflammation, infections, and cancer, as well as 4 state-of-the-art core facilities in proteomics, biophysics and structural biology, molecular and cellular imaging, and functional exploration—including BSL-3 laboratories for the study of infectious diseases (tuberculosis, AIDS, COVID-19). https://www.ipbs.fr

The PhD project will be supervised by Drs. Yoann Rombouts and Anne Gonzalez de Peredo, both CNRS Research Scientists. The research will be conducted at IPBS in close collaboration between two teams: "Mycobacterial Interactions with Host Cells" and "Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry of Biomolecules."

The research of the "Mycobacterial Interactions with Host Cells" team (https://www.ipbs.fr/research/mycobacterial-interactions-with-host-cells/) aims to understand host-pathogen interactions in tuberculosis at both the molecular and cellular levels—from the discovery of novel virulence genes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis to the identification of immune mechanisms involved in the host's defense against the pathogen—with the overall goal of proposing better strategies to control the disease.

The "Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry of Biomolecules" team (https://www.ipbs.fr/proteomics-and-mass-spectrometry-of-biomolecules/) focuses on the development of innovative methodologies for the preparation and analysis of proteins by proteomics in various biological contexts, including immunology and bacterial infections.

In addition to experimental work, the PhD student will participate in weekly team meetings, institute seminars, and national or international conferences. A thesis committee will be established to monitor the progress of the student's research.

The position falls under the sector subject to the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST). In accordance with regulations, your arrival will therefore require authorization from the competent authority of the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR).

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

Work on M. tuberculosis (a biosafety level 3 human pathogen) requires in-house training and authorization to access restricted areas, as well as regular medical monitoring. The research will be conducted using laboratory mice.