M/F Fluorescent nanoparticles as biosensors

The PhD contract is part of the ERC COMET program (2023-2028 https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101077364/fr) and is based at the Institut des Sciences Moléculaires (ISM), under the supervision of Chloé GRAZON. The ISM brings together a community of organic and physical-chemical researchers interested in molecular buildings, and working on their design, synthesis, characterization, reactivity and analysis in various environments.
The ISM is a CNRS / Université de Bordeaux / Bordeaux INP Aquitaine Joint Research Unit (ISM, UMR 5255 CNRS) reporting to the Délégation Régionale Aquitaine (DR 15). The Institute's expertise is built around a number of core competencies:
- physical-chemical experimenters (spectroscopy, photochemistry, molecular recognition and analysis).
- synthetic organic chemists,
- theorists in quantum chemistry and molecular and reaction dynamics,
This multidisciplinary range of skills enables us to develop research projects on cross-disciplinary themes within the Institute: surfaces, interfaces and materials, nanosciences, green chemistry and catalysis, natural and bioactive molecules, modeling. The thesis will be carried out as part of the IPM/LAGON team, whose areas of research focus on :
- Molecular photonics: functional molecules and molecular assemblies (design, optical and non-linear optical properties).
- Multiphotonics
- Development of nano-sized platforms (nanoparticles, nanodots, etc.), -
Photo-active nano-objects for therapy and delivery of bioactive molecules, –
Glycan chemistry and biorthogonal/click chemistry.

The position is located in a sector under the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that your arrival is authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.

Because of their high brightness and photostability, fluorescent nanoparticles (NPs) are a choice alternative to molecular fluorophores, particularly in the fields of biomedical imaging and biosensors. Among the variety of these NPs, the main advantages of organic NPs are their excellent brightness and metal-free properties. We have recently developed different strategies for the surface functionalisation of these nanoparticles, but their complete characterisation remains to be done. The aim of this thesis is to functionalise the surface of NPs with biomolecules (DNA, protein), to quantify this grafting (HPLC, spectroscopies), and to evaluate the capabilities of NPs as biosensors (colloidal and optical stability). Activities - surface functionalisation of nanoparticles - synthesis of fluorophores and/or polymers - characterisation of fluorophores and polymers (NMR, MALDI, SEC, HPLC, etc.); - characterisation of nanoparticles (DLS, TEM); - spectroscopic characterisations; - biological imaging and/or evaluation of fluorescent objects as biosensors; - bibliographical and editorial work; - participation in conferences (oral presentations, posters, etc.). Skills Interest in multidisciplinary subjects, scientific curiosity, rigour and organisation. Knowledge of analytical chemistry is essential, colloidal sciences and/or photophysics would be an asset.- knowledge of physical chemistry/physical chemistry/nanoscience/supramolecular chemistry/analytical chemistry; - good writing skills, ability to summarise; - interest in experimental science and the laboratory.