Machine Learning-Driven Synthesis of Macromolecular Architectures for Biomedical Applications

Peptides, the building blocks of life, possess remarkable biological and chemical properties. However, their synthesis remains challenging, particularly at scale. Polypeptoids, a promising alternative, offer enhanced stability, reduced immunogenicity, and improved solubility, making them ideal candidates for biomedical applications. This project focuses on developing peptide-like polymers, overcoming traditional peptide synthesis challenges such as high cost, limited scalability, and complexity.

This PhD project aims first to leverage machine learning and data mining to optimize peptide-like polymer synthesis by predicting optimal reaction conditions, reducing experimental trial-and-error, and improving scalability. Polymerization Induced Self-Assembly (PISA) will also be employed to design polypeptoid-based nanoparticles, unlocking potential applications in drug delivery, antimicrobial coatings, and tissue engineering.

The research will explore the creation of innovative block copolymers and comb-like copolymers through a combination of synthetic strategies, polycondensation, controlled radical polymerization, click chemistry, and polymer modification. The grafting of specific ligands onto macromolecular chains will enable precise targeting of diseased tissues or organs.

Comprehensive characterization of the synthesized polymers will involve advanced techniques such as chromatography, high-field NMR, FT-IR, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetry. The nanoparticles will undergo thorough analysis using light scattering and bio-efficiency assessments.

Created on January 1, 2007, the ICMPE is a joint research unit (UMR 7182) of the CNRS and the University of Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC).
Our laboratory is developing original and innovative research in the fields of chemistry and materials science, as well as at interfaces with physics, engineering and biology, in order to respond to major societal challenges in the cross-cutting themes of energy, transport, environment, sustainable development and health.

Areas of expertise

The Unit’s areas of expertise cover both fundamental and applied research, with an articulation around three major cross-cutting themes:

Materials for structures and energy.

Molecules, materials and processes for the environment and sustainable development.

Chemistry for health at the interface with the living.

Unit Structure

In order to reach a critical size making it possible to tackle very competitive subjects and to promote a synergy capable of responding to common concerns and objectives, the Unit is structured into 2 scientific departments: Molecular Chemistry and Macromolecular Materials (C3M) and Metallurgy and Inorganic Materials (M2I). It is also equipped with 6 technological platforms rich in a very powerful instrumental park: SPS-flash sintering; CAP-analytical and preparative chromatography; EME-metallurgical elaboration; MIC-microscopies; SPE-spectroscopies; MAM-measurements and analyzes of materials …

Location of the ICMPE

Located halfway between Orly and Paris and located on the CNRS campus in Thiais, the ICMPE accommodates around sixty researchers and teacher-researchers, around thirty engineers, technicians and administrators, as well as around fifty non -permanent (doctoral students, post-docs, ATERs, CDD), specialists in molecular chemistry, polymer science, solid-state chemistry, electrochemistry, metallurgy and physics of materials. 

We seek a highly motivated candidate with a Master’s degree and a strong interest in machine learning, organic chemistry, polymer synthesis or biomedical applications. The project can be adapted to the candidate’s skills. The PhD student will play a pivotal role in developing novel polymer-based therapeutics, working alongside a multidisciplinary academic team of chemists and biologists.