Description du sujet de thèse

Synthesis of versatile platforms for a theranostic approach

Theranostics is an approach in nuclear medicine that aims to combine both diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. At the clinical level, nuclear imaging is used to select and stratify patients, after which the most appropriate therapeutic option is proposed based on the diagnosis. In practical terms, theranostics is implemented through the use of a pair of radiopharmaceuticals that share the same biological target and incorporate a radionuclide whose radiation enables either detection (imaging) or the irradiation of tumor cells (therapy). This PhD project aims to develop new multifunctional radiolabeling platforms for a theranostic approach. More specifically, the “universal” tools being developed will allow for the original combination of radiohalogens and radiometals, thus providing access to novel theranostic pairs.

The PhD student's work will be organized according to the following schedule:

- The first year will be devoted to an exhaustive bibliographical review and to the organic synthesis of a first generation of platform compounds, which will be cold tested.
- During the second year, hot tests of the first generation compounds will be carried out with different radionuclides. The results obtained will be used to synthesize a second generation of platform compounds.
- In the final year, second-generation compounds will be tested with various radionuclides. The compounds will be conjugated to biological vectors of interest, and their stability in serum and biological media will be studied.

Activities expected of the PhD student :
- Synthesis and characterization of new organic platforms featuring two potential radiolabeling sites and a bioconjugation function.
- Development of radiolabeling conditions for both radiohalogens and radiometals.
- Grafting of the platforms onto relevant peptides and antibodies.
- Radiolabeling and evaluation of the physicochemical and biological properties of the developed radioconjugates.

Contexte de travail

The PhD project will be carried out in collaboration between the SUBATECH laboratory, CRCI2NA, and the GIP Arronax. These institutions have all the necessary resources—human, financial, and technical—to successfully conduct this type of multidisciplinary project.

The candidate should :
- hold a Master's degree or equivalent in chemistry applied to healthcare
- practical experience in organic synthesis and in techniques for purifying and characterizing molecules (1D and 2D NMR, mass spectrometry, chromatographic methods, etc.).
- Experience in radiochemistry, and more specifically in the chemistry of heavy radiohalogens (iodine and astatine), is also desirable.
- a good command of bioconjugation chemistry
- knowledge of biological vector modification.

The candidate must :
- demonstrate strong motivation, curiosity and autonomy.
- Fluency in English is a must.
- be able to write scientific reports and present results orally
- Be able to work both independently and collaboratively in an international team environment.

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

This work will be conducted in restricted access areas as it requires the use of radioactive species. The student will then have a specific training and medical follow-up as a nuclear worker.