Stimuli-responsive bioorthogonal nanoreactors for organic synthesis within living systems (NanoChem)

Bioorthogonal chemistry provides the possibility to achieve unnatural chemical reactions in living systems without interfering with native bioprocesses. Along the past years, several ligation and click-to-release reactions have been developed enabling to understand or manipulate biological processes through the formation or the breaking of chemical bounds in a stringently controlled fashion. However, the portfolio of reactions that can be undertaken in living systems is yet very small, especially when compared to the wide diversity of chemical transformations that can be conducted in organic solvents.

In the NanoChem project, we propose to introduce a new paradigm in the field of bioorthogonal chemistry based on stimuli-responsive bioorthogonal nanoreactors, designed for the ‘on-demand’ synthesis of molecules in living systems. These nanoreactors will be programmed for allowing various chemical transformations in living systems such as coupling reactions, cyclizations, polymerizations, rearrangements and autocatalytic processes. In contrast to previous strategies, the NanoChem technology will allow the formation of chemical bonds that are present in natural products (e.g. urea, amide, ester) without interfering with surrounding biologics. Thus, this original project in the field of chemistry could lead to potential applications in the domain of human health.

IC2MP is an interdisciplinary research laboratory hosted by the CNRS and the University of Poitiers.

The PhD student will be in charge of the design, synthesis, characterization and preliminary evaluation of nanoreactors that can be activated by bioorthogonal chemistry.

The candidate must have a Master 2 in either organic chemistry or chemical biology.

Good skills and knowledge are recommended for:

- Multistep synthesis of organic compounds.

- Full characterisation of organic compounds (NMR, SM, IR…).

- Good knowledge of the chemistry/biology interface.

- Editorial quality, ability to publish and promote research work.

- Aptitude for teamwork and supervision of trainees.

- Good english level