Informations générales
Intitulé de l'offre : PhD position (M/F) in metalloenzyme and bioinspired metallopeptides in Marseille (H/F)
Référence : UMR7313-ARISIM-007
Nombre de Postes : 1
Lieu de travail : MARSEILLE 13
Date de publication : mardi 18 mars 2025
Type de contrat : CDD Doctorant
Durée du contrat : 36 mois
Date de début de la thèse : 1 octobre 2025
Quotité de travail : Complet
Rémunération : 2200 gross monthly
Section(s) CN : 16 - Chimie du vivant et pour le vivant : conception et propriétés de molécules d'intérêt biologique
Description du sujet de thèse
A PhD (expected starting date: automn 2025) is available at the “Institut des Sciences Moléculaires de Marseille” (iSm2, UMR 7313) within the frame of an ANR-funded project (LPMO-PEPS ANR-24-CE07-6490).
The project in centered on the development and evaluation of bioinspired catalysts for the valorization of recalcitrant polysaccharides from biomass (such as cellulose or chitin) for biosourced chemicals or biomaterial applications. We will take inspiration from fungal and bacterial copper-containing enzymes (Lytic Polysaccharide Monooxygenases) to develop catalytically-active metallopeptides targeting recalcitrant polysaccharides. LPMO catalyze the challenging oxidative cleavage of polysaccharide by hydroxylation of C-H bonds at the glycosidic linkage, leading to chain breaks.
Within this project studies will be conducted on a LPMO model enzyme to investigate the effect of active site residues on the structural and functional properties of the enzyme. The results will be used to guide the design of bioinspired metallopeptides. Both enzymes and peptides will be investigated in parallel.
The candidate will be involved in the following tasks:
• Production of recombinant LPMOs and variants
• Characterization using physicochemical approches (spectroscopic tools, redox properties etc.)
• Functional investigations of the enzymes and peptides on soluble substrates
• Functional investigations of the enzymes and peptides on recalcitrant polysaccharides
• Mechanistic and redox investigations
Keywords: bioinorganic chemistry, copper metalloenzyme, biomass, catalysis, bioinspired chemistry, polysaccharides
Contexte de travail
The project involves two teams that will work in close synergy.
The PhD candidate will join the BiosCiences group at iSm2 (Marseille). This group has a strong expertise in the study of metalloenzymes and the development of bioinspired models. He/She will evolve in a multidisciplinary environment (chemistry / biology / biophysics) and will gain experience in a range of techniques used in this project at the interface of chemistry and biology.
Contraintes et risques
Knowledge of chemical and biological hazards is essential. The candidate must be familiar with good laboratory practice.