PhD position in Biophysics

Deciphering microalgae-nanoparticle interactions and the resulting toxicity

We have currently a funded PhD grant available to integrate the group “Methodological developments in AFM for biological applications” at the CBMN (Bordeaux, France). The aim of the PhD project is to assess the dynamics of nanoparticles interactions with algal cells and to decipher the consequences in term of toxicity mechanisms. The project is highly interdisciplinary, at the frontier between biophysics, physical chemistry, microbiology and ecotoxicology.

Main idea and objectives of the project:
Green microalgae have raised a growing interest over the last decades in industrial and environmental fields. With the rising anthropisation, several pollutants, such as nanoparticles (NPs), are spread in the environment, affecting all living organisms.
Microalgae have the capacity to accumulate pollutants, making them good candidates for bioremediation strategies but also key players in contaminants transfer as they are at the lowest trophic level of the food chains.
However, to date, knowledge on NPs adsorption to microalgae and associated effects is still at their infancy.
This project aims at characterizing the adsorption and internalization of NPs to microalgae to estimate the risks of desorption from the biosurfaces or, at the contrary, to go through bioamplification.
The candidate will use state-of-the-art atomic force microscopy (AFM) modalities -such as force spectroscopy at the single-nanoparticle scale and NanoIR- to better assess the interaction mechanisms. Precise localization of the NPs distribution within the cell and the consequences in term of cell-wall damages will be probed by a combination of transmission electron microscopy, single-molecule fluorescence microscopy and lifetime fluorescence imaging microscopy.
Additionally, the repercussions of the NPs with respect to oxidative stress will be assessed by fluorescence microscopy and development of electrochemical techniques at the single-cell level.

Location. CBMN, Institut de Chimie et Biologie des Membranes et Nanoobjets, UMR 5248, Université de Bordeaux (http://www.cbmn.u-bordeaux.fr/).
All the facilities required for the project will be accessible at CBMN and Bordeaux University.

Candidate profile
• Master degree in Physical Chemistry / Biochemistry/ Biophysics
• Background in AFM and/or fluorescence microscopy would be appreciated but is not mandatory
• Knowledge in microbiology/microalgae/biomolecules is a plus
• Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research
• Good organizational and communication skills