Post-doctoral position in cellular and mechanobiology-understanding platelet formation

Post-doctoral position to develop a bone-marrow organ-on-chip.

We are recruited a highly motivated candidate interested in cell- and mechano-biology.

Project. The team’s projects focus on unresolved questions related to the formation of platelets in the bone marrow, in particular the role played by the mechanical and cellular microenvironment. How endothelial cells (BMECs) interact with megakaryocytes (the platelet precursor) for their transmigration within the blood vessel are still unresolved essential steps to understand normal and defective platelet production.

Mission. The recruited researcher will be in charge of the development of the bone marrow organ-on-chip, its characterization and analysis of cell behavior upon modification of biophysical cues (matrix stiffness, flow forces). He/she will benefit from the help of a technician for cell culture and analyses. The project involves close collaboration with Abdul Barakat, a biophysicist at Ecole Polytechnique (Palaiseau, France), who recently developed a microvessel-on-a-chip.

Requirements. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated fellow. The candidate must have a PhD in cell biology or a related field. Due to the interdisciplinarity of the project, the candidate need to be curious and motivated to learn new approaches and fields. A strong background in cell biology, cell culture and photonic imaging techniques is required.  A background in mechanobiology would be appreciated.

Location. The institute is located in Strasbourg (France), directly in the city center. Strasbourg is a dynamic international scientific city with well renowned University and dynamic University Campus, 1h50 from Paris by train. Occasional travels and short stays at Ecole Polytechnique (Palaiseau) will be necessary.

Interested candidates should apply as soon as possible but date of arrival is open to discussion.

Contact: Catherine Léon, catherine.leon@efs.sante.fr, UMR_S1255 INSERM, Strasbourg, France

Relevant publications

1. Boscher, Guinard, Eckly, Lanza, Leon. Blood platelet formation at a glance. J Cell Sci. 2020;133:10.1242/jcs.244731.
2. Brouard, Jost, Matthias, Albrecht, Egard, Gandhi, Strassel, Inoue, Sugiyama, Simmons, Gachet, Lanza. A unique microenvironment in the developing liver supports the expansion of megakaryocyte progenitors. Blood Adv. 2017;1:10.1182/bloodadvances.2016003541.
3. Aguilar, Pertuy, Eckly, Strassel, Collin, Gachet, Lanza, Leon. Importance of environmental stiffness for megakaryocyte differentiation and proplatelet formation. Blood. 2016;128:10.1182/blood-2016-02-699959.
4. Bornert, Boscher, Pertuy, Eckly, Stegner, Strassel, Gachet, Lanza, Leon. Cytoskeletal-based mechanisms differently regulate in vivo and in vitro proplatelet formation. Haematologica. 2020:10.3324/haematol.2019.239111.
5.  Dessalles, Ramon-Lozano, Babataheri, Barakat. Luminal flow actuation generates coupled shear and strain in a microvessel-on-chip. Biofabrication. 2021;14:10.1088/1758-5090/ac2baa.