PhD fellowship at the University of Strasbourg

Functional Nanoparticle-Decorated Microbubbles as Theranostic Agents for Oncology
Microbubbles are being used as contrast agents for ultrasound imaging, targeted drug and gene delivery, and as mechanical intravascular intervention devices. However, the current microbubbles are hampered by insufficient stability and poor resistance vis-à-vis serum proteins, and by their limited ability to bind drugs and targeting ligands. Desirable progress over the existing products includes increased stability vis-à-vis serum proteins, improved control of size and size distribution, improved response to ultrasound waves and other stimuli, increased ability to generate sound harmonics, effective capability to recruit and immobilize therapeutic molecules and/or nanoparticles in the bubble’s shell and to undergo ultrasound-triggered cargo release. We propose to design, elaborate and assess the biological performances of new functional microbubbles decorated with nanoparticles specifically designed for oncology. We will use our original recent approach that is based on the remarkable abilities of fluorocarbon gases contained in the gas phase of microbubbles to counteract the deleterious effects of serum proteins on nanovectors, and to recruit, immobilize and release therapeutic agents from the microbubble’s phospholipid shell.
In close partnership within the INTERREG consortium, we will functionalize the bubbles’ surface with dendronised magnetite nanoparticles, specific ligands that target cancer cells and specifically engineered protein corona to provide control over microbubbles’ interactions with biological media. The structure and mechanical properties of the bubbles and composite nanoparticle-decorated bubbles will be evaluated, as well as their ability to serve as probes for magnetic resonance and ultrasound imaging.
This PhD position is financed by a fellowship granted by the INTERREG Rhin Supérieur/Oberrhein.
Main research field: Organic Physical Chemistry, Soft Matter, Colloid and Interfaces
Starting date: As soon as possible
Location: Institut Charles Sadron (CNRS). 23 rue du Loess. 67034 Strasbourg (France).
How to apply: Address your application with CV, recommendation letters and expression of interest to Dr. M.P. Krafft (krafft@unistra.fr)
Have a look on some of our recent papers:
1. Yang, G.; O’Duill, M.; Gouverneur, V.; Krafft, M. P. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2015, 54, 8402.
2. L. Gazzera, R. Milani, L. Pirrie, C. Blanck, M. Schmutz, G. Resnati, P. Metrangolo, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, DOI 10.1002/anie.201603706.
3. Yamamoto, D.; Nakajima, C.; Shioi, A.; Krafft, M. P.; Yoshikawa, K. Nat. Commun. 2015, 6, 7189.
4. Nguyen, P. N.; Waton, G.; Vandamme, T.; Krafft, M. P. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52, 6404.
5. Nguyen, P. N.; Veschgini, M.; Tanaka, M.; Waton, G.; Krafft, M. P. Chem. Commun. 2014, 50, 11576.
6. Krafft, M. P. Soft Matter 2015, 11, 5982.
7. Krafft, M. P.; Fainerman, V. B.; Miller, R. Colloid Polym Sci. 2015, 293, 3091.
8. Krafft, M. P.; Riess, J. G. Curr. Opin. Colloid Interface Sci. 2015, 20, 192.
8. Krafft, M. P. Acc. Chem. Res. 2012, 45, 514.
9. Krafft, M. P.; Riess, J. G. Chem. Rev. 2009, 109, 1714.