ASSISTANT CELLULAR BIOLOGY ENGINEER - M/F

HOST STRUCTURE

The U1235-TENS unit (The Enteric Nervous System in gut and brain disorders) was founded in 2008 by Dr Michel Neunlist. Its objective is to study the role of the enteric nervous system in intestinal and brain disorders, from the molecular level to the cellular level up to the patient level. TENS is part of the Faculté de médecine de l'Université de Nantes and is physically located on the university's main campus. At this location, it is also physically close to the hospital, which houses several clinical departments with which it collaborates (Maladies digestives, Neurologie, Biochimie, Réadaptation Physique et Médicale).

MAIN MISSION

The recruited person will evaluate the effectiveness of probiotic strains in protecting the intestinal barrier against inflammation induced by Group B Streptococcus. They will work on cellular models developed at the TENS INSERM1235 laboratory.

The project is funded by the Next (Nantes Excellence Trajectory) program and is part of a collaboration between the TENS unit and an industrial partner, owner of the probiotic strains. He/she will be supervised by Dr Laetitia Aymeric, maître de conférences within the TENS unit.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

• Performing and maintaining cell cultures: intestinal epithelial cells, stromal cells, transwell models.
• Exposure of cells to probiotic strains provided by the industrial partner.
• Performing Group B Streptococcus infection protocols on these cellular models: bacterial cultures, work in an A2 (L2) containment laboratory.
• Biochemical and molecular analyses of generated samples: western blot, qRT-PCR, imaging, ELISA assay.
• Rigorous traceability of results in compliance with procedures related to collaborative work involving an industrial partner.

COMPLEMENTARY ACTIVITIES

• Participation in the collective tasks of the research unit.

Profile sought:

KNOWLEDGE

• Very good mastery of cell culture: freezing, thawing, maintenance of cell lines, organoids, multicellular models involving transwells.
• Basic knowledge of bacterial cultures.
• Good mastery of analytical techniques in biochemistry, molecular biology, and imaging.
• Knowledge of the working environment in an A2 containment laboratory.
• Scientific English.

SKILLS

• Cell culture: freezing, thawing, maintenance of cell lines, organoids, multicellular models involving transwells.
• Bacterial culture: freezing, thawing, preparation of liquid and gelled culture media, counting on agar, growth curves.
• Biochemistry and molecular biology techniques: Western blot, colorimetric assays, RT-qPCR.
• Imaging: confocal.
• Analysis, formatting, and rigorous recording of generated data.
• Presentation of data in team meetings.

APTITUDES

• Organization, scientific rigor.
• Communication, good interpersonal skills.
• Scientific curiosity, dynamism.