PhD position in Glycochemistry (Grenoble)

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PhD (36 months)
Multimodal glycoconjugates: a molecular approach for antitumoral immunotherapy
GRENOBLE (FRANCE) - Department of molecular chemistry
Glycochemistry, bioorganic chemistry, chemical ligation, supramolecular chemistry
Sept. 2017
ERC Consolidator Grant
olivier.renaudet@univ-grenoble-alpes.fr

Project:
Despite significant progress in cancer therapy, current treatments are still controversial due to
intolerable side effects. Targeted immunotherapy has recently emerged as an ideal alternative to
improve treatment modalities for cancer patients. However, very limited approaches are
available today and major issues remain to be addressed. In this context, we are interested in the
design, the synthesis and the study of smart biomolecular structures capable of redirecting
endogenous antibodies present in the human bloodstream against tumors. To achieve this
purpose, antibody and tumor binding modules have been recently discovered in our group. The
aim of this PhD is to develop chemical methods to combined these modules covalently within a
single molecule to provide fully synthetic molecules with unique recognition properties towards
both antibodies and tumors. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the interactions will be
further studied using complementary label-free biophysical methods such as isothermal titration
calorimetry (ITC) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Cytotoxicity assays will be finally
performed in vitro to determine whether these multimodal constructions can activate
complement cascade and cytolysis.
Candidates profile:
The candidate recruited on this project will have a solid background in bioorganic chemistry,
biochemistry and immunology. Skills in biological characterisation methods (SPR, ITC) would be
appreciated.
Application:
Interested applicants should send a motivation letter, a complete CV including academic results
and contact information of three references to Olivier Renaudet.

570 rue de la chimie, BP-53 - 38041 Grenoble Cedex 9. Tel : ++33(0)4 56 52 08 02, Fax : ++33(0)4 56 52 08 03
URL web http://DCM.ujf-grenoble.fr, E-mail : olivier.renaudet@univ-grenoble-alpes.fr