Description du sujet de thèse

DC9 PROJECT TITLE. Expression, purification and characterization of sialyltransferases, and validation of glycosyltransferases inhibitors using microplate assays.

DC9 PROJECT. This PhD project will focus on the large-scale production and purification of active sialyltransferases (STs: ST6Gal I and ST6GalNAc I). The DC9 will develop innovative, rapid and sensitive assays on microplates for STs and fucosyltransferases (FTs), which includes preparation of glycoprotein acceptor substrates and synthesis of sugar donors for the identification of potential specific STs and FTs inhibitors. DC9 will be trained in organic synthesis and structural biology for enzyme expression and purification and inhibitors characterization in cell-based assays.

PLANNED SECONDMENTS. 1. Unizar, (Academia, ES), production of GTs; 2. UL, (Academia, SI), synthesis of donor derivatives; 3. GD, (Industry, DK), cell-based assays.

Host Institution: Structural and Functional Glycobiology Unit (UGSF), UMR 8576 (CNRS-ULil), University of Lille, France.


Duration: 36 months, starting between January 2024 - April 2024.
Supervisor: Anne Harduin-Lepers; www.researchgate.net/profile/Anne-Harduin-Lepers
Co-supervisor: Henrik Clausen (Glycodisplay, DK), Sophie Groux-Degroote (UGSF, FR).
Progress Committee Members: Anne Harduin-Lepers, Ramon Hurtado-Guerrero (University of Zaragoza, ES), Henrik Clausen.

PhD School enrolment: Biology and Health Doctoral School at the University of Lille (www.edbsl.univ-lille.fr/en/)

APPLICATION PROCEDURE. The position is open to candidates of any nationality, as long as they fulfil the requirements set for the DCs funded by MSCA (Annex A). The applicant must send the documents in the Annex A to the email specified (glycandrug@chim.unifi.it) within 1st October 2023, clearly indicating in the subject “Application for DC9 position”.
The salary of the DCs will be paid according to the MSCA rules. See: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/calls/msca-doctoral-networks-2022

CANDIDATE PROFILE
- 5-years degree (Master) in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Glycobiology or health-related fields
- Practical experience in biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology
- Good level of English proficiency (understood, spoken and written)
- Team spirit and proactive attitude
Information also available at: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/

Contexte de travail

Structural and Functional Glycobiology Unit (UGSF), UMR 8576 (CNRS-ULil), University of Lille, France.
Beneficiary partner
- Università Degli Studi Di Firenze (UNIFI) - Italy
- Instituto De Investigação E Inovação Em Saúde Da Universidade Do Porto (i3s) - Portugal
- Universidad De Zaragoza (UNIZAR) - Spain
- Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU) - Denmark
- Univerza V Ljubljani (UL) - Slovenia
- Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior De Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) - Spain
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) - FRANCE
- Glycodisplay Aps (GD) - Denmark

Contraintes et risques

PLANNED SECONDMENTS. 1. Unizar, (Academia, ES), production of GTs; 2. UL, (Academia, SI), synthesis of donor derivatives; 3. GD, (Industry, DK), cell-based assays.

Informations complémentaires

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
GlyCanDrug is a European Training Network funded in the framework of HORIZON Marie
Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks (DN). It is a glycoscience-oriented DN that aims, for
the first time, to take a step ahead in the design of precision therapeutics targeting key
glycan motifs implicated in cancer. These glycans are fingerprints of many cancers. Thus,
their targeting has the striking potential to overcome cancer heterogeneity that limits the
current targeted therapies providing new opportunities for the discovery of precision
therapeutics. The credibility and high quality of GlyCanDrug are ensured by top-level
glycoscientists from 9 academic institutions (8EU & 1US) and 6 SMEs which encompass
complementary and intersectoral expertise, and unique state-of-the-art technological tools
to train 10 doctoral candidates (DCs). GlyCanDrug focuses on the precise inhibition of the
expression of cancer-associated glycans and the development of cutting-edge tools for their
targeting. The unique combination of scientific excellence in interdisciplinary fields and
industry know-how will cover the entire process from obtaining fundamental insights to the
implementation of innovative solutions. GlyCanDrug aims at creating a critical mass of
uniquely skilled graduates in glycan-based therapies. To this aim, we will equip DCs with a
thorough multifaceted knowledge of the potential of glycoscience in the discovery of cancer
precision therapeutics and the necessary transferable skills. This will put DCs in an
advantageous position for job opportunities in both academia and industry. Deciphering the
glycome expands the frontiers of knowledge and discovery and enables addressing
fundamental challenges in cancer. Therefore, GlyCanDrug DN will strengthen the European
innovation capacity by bringing new glycoscience concepts in the development of cancer
precision therapeutics to market and policy stakeholders.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applicants can apply for up to 3 projects within the consortium, indicating the order of
preference. All applications will be checked for eligibility. Incomplete applications will be
ignored. Applications must be in English. The applicant must send the following documents
(IN A ONE SINGLE PDF FILE) to the email specified (e-mail: glycandrug@chim.unifi.it)
within 1st October 2023, clearly indicating in the subject “Application for DCX position”:
1) an updated CV (EU pass format: https://europa.eu/europass/it/create-europass-cv
including the details of education/qualifications, work experience, language skills and other
relevant skills);
2) a motivation letter (max 1 page);
3) full names, affiliation and email addresses of at least 2 potential referees (at least one of
them from one former supervisor and/or lecturer);
4) the scan of the degree (usually the Master Degree) which would formally entitle him/her
to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the
country in which the researcher will be recruited. In case the degree has not been obtained
yet, it is necessary to send an official declaration of the university stating that the degree will
be obtained before the expected starting date and the documents reported at point 5);
5) a certified document indicating the ranking and marks at the Master Degree as well as
the courses/modules they have attended. This document is mandatory for applicants who
do not have yet obtained the degree at the time of the application.
6) a summary of the Master Degree thesis or a brief description of the past scientific activity.
7) format application. Before the signing of the GA, the format application will be sent to
people interested upon request on the email: glycandrug@chim.unifi.it
8) Copy of a valid ID/Passport.

ELIGIBILITY RULES
The position is open to candidates (of any nationality) that fulfil the requirements set for the
DCs funded by MSCA. Equal opportunities policy without distinction on the grounds of
gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation will be
applied. Eligibility criteria for MSCA-DN researchers https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-
tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2021-2022/wp-2-msca-
actions_horizon-2021-2022_en.pdf pages 80-82/111
At the time of recruitment applicants must fulfil the following rules:
➢ Experience: eligible applicants must not have a PhD yet, whereas they must have a 5-
years degree (Master).
➢ Mobility: the DCs must not have resided in the country where the research training
activities will take place for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to the recruitment
date (and not have carried out their main activity (work, studies) in that country).
ANNEX A:
GlyCanDrug is to date under the condition that the Grant Agreement is signed