PhD Position : 3D mechanics of cells in complex fibrous media

Recrutement

From May 31, 2021 to July 1, 2021

Contour of a migrating cell in a collagen network (left picture) and associated displacement field of collagen fibres (right picture)

Project summary

The forces generated by cells in complex media are important in various
physiological/pathological phenomena such as wound healing, cancer metastasis or
embryogenesis. The aim of this project is to precisely investigate cell migration in
biological networks by studying the interactions between cancer cells and the
surrounding fibrous medium. Therefore, the main tasks of this thesis will be :

A morphological characterisation of d ifferent fibr ous media (collagen networks at different concentrations) using confocal microscopy.
The development of a stretching/shearing device to investigate fibre deformations of
these networks subjected to various physiological loadings.
The achievement of micromechanical stretching/shearing tests on Extra Cellular Matrix (ECM) samples. The data obtained will allow to build a micromechanical model for the macroscale visco hyperelastic mechanics of the soft fibrous ECM.
The analysis of cell migra tion in the different ECMs. To understand the feedback between cell motility and network relaxation, observations will also be compared to numerical simulations.
The determination of the local stresses exerted by cells using the micromechanical model developed.

This project will benefit from an existing collaboration between researchers in physics of biological system s, imaging and mechanical engineering.

Location and practical aspects
The successful applicant will be hosted by the LIPhy (Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Physics – Grenoble, France – www-liphy.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/) in the “MC2” team, and by the 3SR Laboratory (Soils, Solids, Structures, Risks – Grenoble, France – www.3sr-grenoble.fr/) in the “CoMHet” team. He/she will work under the supervision of Dr Laurent, Dr Verdier at the LIPhy and Dr Bailly at 3SR Laboratory. The PhD fellowship offer is available starting October 2021 for a period of 3 years. The gross salary will be 1787 €/months, equivalent to a net salary of 1414 €/month.

Qualifications of the applicant
The PhD candidate should have academic backgrounds in cell biophysics and mechanobiology, with a strong motivation to work at the interface between physics and biology. Specific skills in microscopic imaging, structural characterization of fibrous media and/or experimental mechanics of soft (bio)materials/gels will be strongly examined.

Applications

Interested candidates should send their CV, a cover letter and official transcripts of the last two years to /
Dr Valérie Laurent (valerie.laurentuniv-grenoble-alpes.fr (valerie[dot]laurent[at]univ-grenoble-alpes[dot]fr))
Claude Verdier (claude.verdierunig-grenoble-alpes.fr (claude[dot]verdier[at]unig-grenoble-alpes[dot]fr))
Lucie Bailly (lucie.bailly3sr-grenoble.fr (lucie[dot]bailly[at]3sr-grenoble[dot]fr))
Deadline for the application: 01/07/2021

Date

From May 31, 2021 to July 1, 2021