Development Of A Dual Bi-Functionalized Skin Platform
Universities and Institutes of France
23 May 2023
Job InformationOrganisation/Company
CY Cergy Paris Université
Research Field
Biological sciences » Biology
Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country
France
Application Deadline
25 May 2023 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris)
Type of Contract
Temporary
Job Status
Full-time
Offer Starting Date
1 Sep 2023
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Not funded by an EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No
Offer DescriptionProject description
The skin is the largest organ of the human body. It performs many vital functions, including
water and temperature regulation and protection against exogenous aggressions. The skin is
colonized by a polymicrobial community, mostly composed of bacteria, which are in constant
interaction with the host's innate and adaptive cutaneous immune system. These interactions
are of great importance for proper functioning of the immune system and protection against
pathogens.
In the case of a wound, after an injury, most of the time the skin heals naturally by a complex
process. However, certain underlying pathological processes (e.g. diabetes or cardiovascular
disease), medications and old age can lead to inadequate and/or deficient tissue repair. In most
of these cases, oxidative stress is one of many factors that can alter the wound healing process
and result in a chronic or impaired wound.
It is now recognized that bacterial overgrowth in the wound tends to stall the healing process.
This then allows the formation of biofilms, which are communities of microorganisms that are
embedded in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances. These biofilms prolong the healing
time and increase the occurrence of new infections. The prevalence of microbial biofilms in
chronic wounds is 78.2%.
Chronic infected skin wounds (ulcers), including infected diabetic ulcers, are often refractory
to systemic antibiotic treatment due to a) poor vascularity, b) biofilm activity (bypassing
penetration), and c) bacterial resistance, thus rapidly becoming a public health crisis.
The thesis work proposed here is a continuation of previous studies by the two collaborating
research groups. It will focus on the development of a double patch composed of an elastomeric
dressing and a hydrogel containing a combination of active ingredients: natural bioactive
compounds (NBC) and bacteriophages, with antioxidant and antibiofilm properties,
respectively, to improve the pro-healing properties of the dressing.
These studies will focus on 3 axes:
1. To develop suitable synthetic structures that combine polymeric biomaterials with
antagonistic characteristics, to cover the requirements imposed by the application: protection
from damage and physical barrier with the environment, materialized by the elastomeric
scaffold, and filling or coating of hydrogel to ensure hydration throughout its use, and act as a
reservoir of the bioactive components of the multi-scale system.
2. Incorporate the bioactive agents (phages and natural bioactive compounds) into the hydrogel
for their effective release within the time frame of the skin patch.
3. To evaluate the therapeutic potential of the multifunctional system in vitro, with cells
involved in the inflammatory and healing process: fibroblasts and keratinocytes, and with
evaluation of antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties.
RequirementsResearch Field
Biological sciences » Biology
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
- Master's degree in biology, biotechnology, bioengineering, materials science health
applications
- Advanced skills in biochemistry, physical chemistry of biomaterials, microbiology
- Skills in cell biology and biochemistry...
-Knowledge in the field of cell-material interactions would be appreciated.
-Fluent in English, both orally and in writing, and/or able to speak in French and/or in Spanish
-Curiosity, autonomy, rigor and ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment at the
interface of two laboratories located in two different countries (France and Spain)
Languages
ENGLISH
Level
Excellent
Research Field
Biological sciences » Biology
Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
CY Cergy Paris Université
Country
France
State/Province
Ile de france
City
Cergy-Pontoise Cedex
Postal Code
95011
Street
33 Boulevard du Port
Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
Universitat Politècnica de València
Country
Spain
State/Province
Comunidad Valenciana
City
Valencia
Postal Code
46022
Street
Camí de Vera, s/n.
State/Province
Ile de france
City
Cergy-Pontoise Cedex
Website
https:// www. cyu.fr
Street
33 Boulevard du Port
Postal Code
95011
STATUS: EXPIRED