14 open Master projects

Here are the titles :

Team 1 – Biophysics of the brain :

1. Imaging the dissipation of Ca2+ micro domains w/ SAF BFP imaging
2. A reproducible metric for tissue clearing with quantitative phase imaging
3. quantifying EW scattering in different cell types w/ standing-wave TIRF

Contact Martin Oheim : martin.oheim [at] u-paris.fr

More to folow.

Team 2 – Cerebellar Neurophysiology :

• In vivo neuronal dynamics during adaptation to movement perturbations (keywords = Sensorimotor integration, optogenetics, in vivo neuropixel, in vivo 2-photon imaging) – Details and contact

Team 3 – Biology and physiopathology of the spinal cord :

• Study of the effects of repetitive trans-spinal magnetic stimulation on functional and tissue recovery in an experimental model of transverse myelitis in mice (keywords = spinal cord injury, non-invasive treatment, transverse myelitis, functional recovery, mouse model, remyelination, oligodendrocytess) – Details and contact
• Restoration of excitation/inhibition balance to modulate motoneuron degeneration in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (keywords = ALS, Motoneuron, Spinal cord, Electrophysiology, In vivo intracellular recordings, Gene therapy, Pharmacology) – Details and contact
• Study of early changes in structure and composition of neuromuscular junctions in different muscle fiber types during amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (keywords = neuromuscular junction, motor neuron, myofiber, MuSK/LRP4, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) – Details and contact

Team 4 – Membrane dynamics :

• Identification and study of partners of C9orf72-SMCR8-WDR41 complex associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (keywords = ALS, C9orf72, cellular biology, proteomics, lysosomes) – Details and contact

Team 6 – Synapses of Affective Behaviors :

• Regulation of affective states by bimodal GABAergic transmission in the mouse Medial Habenula (keywords = ex vivo electrophysiology, in vivo fiber photometry and optogenetics) – Details and contact

Team 7 – Molecular Biology of Neuronal Transport :

• Development of New Molecular Strategies for the Treatment of Rett Syndrome in mutant mice (keyword = Molecular Neurobiology, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Mouse Models, Nuclear Transport, MeCP2, Importins) – Details and contact

Team 8 – Orientation and Coordination :

• Role of the Cerebellum in Motor Coordination and Learning (keywords = cerebellum, motor control, locomotion, in vivo electrophysiology, in vivo 2-photon calcium imaging, behavioral analysis) – Details and contact
• Spatial orientation signals across Thalamus and Head Direction Cortex (keywords = spatial orientation; electrophysiology; brain slices; neuromodulation; in vivo recordings) – Details and contact
• Unraveling animal behavior through decoding of non-invasive, continuous measurements (keywords = behavior, monitoring, machine-learning, decoding) – Details and contact
• Head direction and goal direction signals (keywords = electrophysiology, population analysis, attractor network, presubiculum, mouse) – Details and contact

Two open PhDs

Here are the subjects :

1. Bessel-beam TIRF
2. OASIS laser parameter optimization

More to follow.

Contact information

We are being used to read off pH from comparing dripped Lackmus paper to a colour scale. Likewise, the Suzuki method encodes keys by colour, which allows to code melodies before mastering musical notes. But did you think about encoding nanometric optical distances along the microscope’s axis into colour? We did. And this is the essence of CC-NANOSCALE, or colour-coded nanoscale, a project now funded by UPC.

Following the promising market study conducted by the agency TEMATYS and Martin Oheim’s presentation of intermediate results in front of a panel of experts, non-experts and innovators, SPPIN’s team 1 (Biophysics of the brain) was awarded a 2024-25 pre-maturation grant from Université Paris Cité (UPC). 

We are now hiring a study engineer (ingénieur d’études) (H/F/or other) starting ASAP and during 1 year. Please send applications (letter of motivation, CV and three academic references) to : nanoscale [AT] sppin.fr

The post NANOSCALE GOES COLOUR-CODED: Hiring an engineer (IE CNRS, CDD 1 year) first appeared on SPPIN - CNRS UMR 8003.

The laboratory is looking for a highly motivated scientist with experience in rodent embryo studies to study the role of lysosomal metabolite transporters in the nutrition of mouse embryos by the visceral yolk sac endodermal epithelium during development. This epithelium feeds embryos with nutrients derived from endocytosis and lysosomal degradation of maternal macromolecules before the onset of a functional placenta. In unpublished studies, we developed knock-out and knock-in mouse models and discovered a synthetic embryonic lethal interaction between lysosomal transporters that forms the basis of this project.

The laboratory, located at Université Paris Cité, Campus Saint-Germain-des-Prés, France, focuses on lysosomal membrane transporters that shape the maintenance and adaptive homeostasis of mammalian cells. We use multidisciplinary approaches.

The candidate must have expertise in mouse colony management, embryo isolation and standard cell biology techniques. An experience in biochemistry and/or epithelium culture would also be appreciated.

The position is funded for two years.

Candidates should apply through the CNRS job offer portal.

Inquiries about the position and letters of recommendation should be sent to:

Relevant references:

• Leray X et al (2021) Arginine-selective modulation of the lysosomal transporter PQLC2 through a gate-tuning mechanism, PNAS 118, e2025315118.
• Jungnickel KEJ, Guelle O, et al (2023) MFSD1 in complex with its accessory subunit GLMP functions as a general dipeptide uniporter in lysosomes. bioRxiv 2023.12.15.570541.
• Zohn IE & Sarkar AA (2010) The visceral yolk sac endoderm provides for absorption of nutrients to the embryo during neurulation (review). Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol 88:593-600.

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The post Applications to The 2023-2024 C-BRAINS International PhD Program are open! first appeared on SPPIN - CNRS UMR 8003.

The laboratory is looking for a biochemist/cell biologist to explore pharmacological approaches to treat a rare disease severely affecting neurological development of children.

Salla disease is caused by mutations of the SLC17A5 gene, leading to trafficking and/or activity defects of sialin, the lysosomal exporter for sialic acids. The predominant mutation, R39C, partially impairs both processes. The main project consists in identifying drugs that rescue the trafficking defect of mutant sialin and could also potentiate its transport activity.

The candidate is expected to have expertise in biochemistry, cell biology, fluorescence microscopy, and should be familiar with cell culture, molecular biology and molecular pharmacology techniques.

The laboratory, located at Université Paris Cité, Campus Saint-Germain-des-Prés, France, focuses on membrane trafficking and membrane transport processes, particularly in the lysosome, that shape the maintenance and adaptive homeostasis of mammalian cells. We use multidisciplinary approaches.

The postdoc position is funded by the Salla Treatment and Research Foundation (S.T.A.R.) Foundation. The recruited postdoc will interact with an international research consortium, the FSASD consortium.

Motivated individuals interested in this work are encouraged to contact to Dr. Bruno Gasnier and Dr. Christine Anne-Longin. Please include your CV (resume) and a brief research summary and have three letters of recommendation emailed to Drs. Gasnier and Anne-Longin.

Relevant References:

• Huizing M, Hackbarth ME, Adams DR, Wasserstein M, Patterson MC, Walkley SU, Gahl WA, FSASD Consortium, Free sialic acid storage disorder: Progress and promise. Neurosci Lett, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2021.135896
• Dubois L, Pietrancosta N, Cabaye A, Fanget I, Debacker C, Gilormini PA, Dansette PM, Dairou J, Biot C, Froissart R, Goupil-Lamy A, Bertrand HO, Acher FC, McCort-Tranchepain I, Gasnier B, Anne C, Amino Acids Bearing Aromatic or Heteroaromatic Substituents as a New Class of Ligands for the Lysosomal Sialic Acid Transporter Sialin. J Med Chem, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b02119

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Localisation : Paris (France)

Salary : 2600€ before taxes

OPEN POSTDOC

Axonal regeneration under an electric field

The proposal concerns a post-doctoral researcher who has performed experiments on live animals (rodents) and has at least level 2 certification, ideally level 1

Introduction :

Understanding interactions of the cells with the substrate could enable them to be reproduced in innovative ways in the form of biomaterials and/or implants. This opens the way for major innovations in various medical fields such as regenerative medicine, dentistry, prosthetics and implantology. By understanding how neurons interact with their environment, it is possible to design more advanced biomedical solutions and improve patients’ quality of life through innovative biomaterials that are more effective, have long-lasting effects, are biocompatible and/or (bio)resorbable.

Objectives and description of the research project :

Objectives : The project involves developing an electroactive neuro-implant that will be introduced in animal at the level of a sectioned nerve in the context of a prototype validation.

Description of the research project : Following nerve section, axonal repair under electric field refers to the use of electric fields to promote axon growth and regeneration. It has been shown that electric fields can influence axonal growth by acting on several cellular mechanisms. They can direct the direction of axon growth by activating directional guidance signals. In addition, they can stimulate the proliferation and migration of glial cells, which play a crucial role in axon regeneration. Electric fields can also modulate the expression of growth factors and adhesive molecules that promote axonal regeneration.
These properties open remarkable prospects for the development of nerve regeneration therapies following injuries of the central or peripheral nervous system. However, it is important to note that axonal regeneration is a complex process, and the precise mechanisms involved are still under investigation. What’s more, translating this knowledge into clinical applications requires in-depth research and rigorous clinical trials to ensure efficacy and safety. The role of the candidate will be to test and develop in vivo an implant which pysico-chemical constitution would be optimal for nerve repair. This work is based on in vitro studies.

Scientific environment :

This research project is highly interdisciplinary, at the interface of neuroscience, cell biology, physics, materials science, and biophysics. The postdoctoral fellow will be based at SPPIN 2 , at CNRS lab localized in St Germain des Prés, in the heart of Paris.

Requirements :

interest in the physics/biology interface, healthcare applications, animal experimentation ; knowledge of neuroscience.

Contacts:

The post Open Post-doctoral position at the Saints-Pères Paris Institute for Neurosciences (Université de Paris) first appeared on SPPIN - CNRS UMR 8003.

L’ingénieur.e travaillera sous la direction du DU et sera affecté.e à la core-unit, équipe transversale au sein du SPPIN (CNRS UMR8003). Le/la candidat.e aura pour charge de développer, maintenir et accompagner l’utilisation d’un parc important de microscopes optiques high-end, souvent fait maison. Fort de ses compétences en optique, optomécanique et photonique, le/la candidat.e aura la capacité d’innover, d’améliorer et proposer des nouvelles réalisations optiques, en collaboration avec les équipes du SPPIN. Ceci n’est pas un poste plateforme, mais un poste ayant une forte valence recherche et technologique. Ce travail polyvalent, sera réalisé typiquement via des projets qui peuvent impliquer une ou plusieurs équipes du SPPIN et typiquement seront réalisé sous forme une collaboration avec autres ingénieur.e.s et/ou chercheurs.

Organisation

CNRS UMR 8003, SPPIN

Localisation

Université Paris Cité, Campus Saint Germain, SPPIN

Missions

L’ingénieur.e de recherche aura comme tâche les études de conception optique et opto-mécaniques nécessaires à la construction, au maintien et à la remise en état des microscopes photoniques du SPPIN (Saints Pères Paris Institute for the Neurosciences). Par suite de ces études, il/elle aura en charge la recherche des composants optimisés nécessaires au développement ou à l’augmentation des fonctionnalités de ces instruments et leur bon fonctionnement. Ce travail sera conduit au sein d’une structure opérationnelle qui inclut déjà deux équipes spécialistes ainsi qu’une composante optique/opto-mécanique au sein de l’UMS du site.

Activités

• Faire le bilan des microscopes existants et schématiser leur fonctionnement optique
• Évaluer les priorités en termes de jouvence
• Participer à la conception optique/opto-mécanique
• Rechercher les composantes optiques optimales
• Assembler les modules optiques revisités des différents microscopes
• Conduire des tests de validation/qualification
• Rédiger les rapports d’intégration et de tests, incluant les schéma optique et opto-mécaniques
• Participer à la conception et construction de nouveaux instruments
• Participer à des projets de recherche, à la collecte et analyse de données et à la rédaction de publications

Compétences

Connaissances :

• Systèmes optiques, conception optique et opto-mécanique, métrologie (connaissances approfondies)
• Instrumentation en microscopie linéaire et non-linéaire (connaissances approfondies)
• Physique des tissus (connaissances approfondies)
• Dispositifs expérimentaux (connaissances approfondies)
• Techniques de présentation écrite et orale
• Langues : Français et Anglais (parlé et écrit)

Compétences opérationnelles :

• Utiliser les logiciels spécifiques au domaine (LabVIEW, Matlab, SolidWorks, Python)
• Respecter les conditions d’utilisation des dispositifs expérimentaux
• Aptitude au travail en équipe projet
• Appliquer les procédures d’assurance qualité
• Appliquer les règles d’hygiène et de sécurité
• Assurer une veille technologique
• Les qualités humaines et la capacité d’apprentissage, également sur des domaines connexes, sont aussi des critères déterminant afin de candidater à ce poste.

Contexte

Driven by curiosity, enabled by technology: suivant ce crédo du laboratoire, nous avons au SPPIN fait le choix de concentrer des compétences clés, dont la présence est cruciale pour toutes les équipes au sein d’une équipe transversale, la core unit. Ainsi, au sein de cette équipe, nous avons regroupé les services administratives, des compétences en instrumentation scientifique, la biologie moléculaire, de culture cellulaire, de la génération des organoides cérébraux ainsi que de l’informatique (calcul scientifique, programmation, instrumentation). Nous souhaitons encore élargir cet offre par le renouvellement d’un poste d’IR en optique et neurophotonique (vacant depuis le départ de Bruno Lagarde, parti en retraite). Le poste est sensé de renforcer un axe déjà forte au laboratoire, l’optique et la photonique représenté par Martin Oheim, Marc Guillon et Ali Jalil. La/le candidat.e travaillera en bonne intelligence avec le service commun de microscopie  (Fabrice Licata) et l’atelier de prototypage au sein de l’UMS (Thierry Bastien).

Pour plus d’informations contactez Martin Oheim.

Pour postuler à cette fonction, vous devez joindre votre CV, liste de publications, références académiques et une lettre de motivation.

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Development of a compressed wavefront sensor with a thin scattering Hartmann-mask

We offer a 15-month postdoc position (renewable 15 months) starting on January 2021, funded by the french national agency (ANR) for developing a compressed wavefront sensor. This project is part of a joint researcher activity involving three academic laboratories (SPPIN, IdV and LULI) and one industrial company (Imagine Optic).

Scientific context:
Wavefront sensing is a very handy technique for measuring the spatial phase of a beam. However, in many applications ranging from metrology to biological imaging, single-shot, multispectral and high-resolution wavefront acquisitions of complex light-beams must be achieved. Single-shot acquisition is especially critical in the case of ultra-short laser pulses delivering few pulses a day like the multi-petawatt Apollon laser facility.
In this project, wavefront-sensing will be achieved relying on recent advances in image processing and taking advantage of the spatial and spectral properties of complex scattering media. The group in Paris published several works supporting this project, in particular about high-resolution wavefront sensing with a diffuser, spectro-spatial properties of scattering media and compressed imaging. The host in polytechnique is responsible for the Apollon laser facility

Location:
Research works will mostly take place at SPPIN laboratory, in the heart of Paris. Some experimental developments will also have to be achieved directly upon the Apollon PetaWatt laser facility, a Paris-Saclay infrastructure depending on the LULI laboratory at Ecole Polytechnique.

Education requirements:
The successful candidate will have a PhD in optics and a high experience in experimental optics. The candidate must also demonstrate expertise in one of the following topics: computational imaging, ultra-short laser physics, wave propagation in complex media.

Contacts:

and

Dimitrios Papadopoulos (papadopoulos.d@bureau.luli.polytechnique.fr)

The post Open Post-doctoral position at the Saints-Pères Paris Institute for Neurosciences (Université de Paris) first appeared on SPPIN - CNRS UMR 8003.

Title: “Restoration of excitation/inhibition balance to modulate motor neuron degeneration in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)“

A PhD position, under the supervision of Daniel Zytnicki, is available in the ‘Motor Neurons and neuromuscular Junctions” team. The position is funded by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) for 3 years (“Contrat Doctoral” according to the french legislation). The project entitled “Restoration of excitation/inhibition balance to modulate motor neuron degeneration in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)” deals with synaptic mechanisms leading to excess or insufficient excitation as the factor driving motor neuron vulnerability in ALS. We will exploit state-of-the-art electrophysiological methods for in vivo intracellular recordings in spinal motor neurons of ALS mouse models, advanced viral vectors, chemogenetics and cutting-edge nanobodies. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with the Roselli laboratory at Ulm University (Germany) under the prestigious ANR-DFG funding scheme. The Roselli Lab will prepare all the AAV vectors, chemogenetic tools and nanobodies to be used in Paris.

The PhD candidate will be trained to perform in vivo electrophysiological experiments in anaesthetized mice (intracellular recordings of spinal motor neurons). Previous experience in electrophysiology or in spinal cord physiology is a plus. The candidate should be motivated, hard worker and rigorous.

The laboratory is located in the Saints-Pères campus of the Université de Paris in the nice area of Saint-Germain des Prés (in the center of Paris, nearby the Louvres Museum and the Orsay Museum). The scientific environment is international and outstanding with word-leading scientists in electrophysiology, cellular imaging, neurophysiology, molecular and cellular biology.

Applications and inquiries should be sent to Dr. Daniel Zytnicki. Applications must include a CV, a motivation letter, academic records, and two reference letters.

Contact

SPPIN. https://sppin.fr
E-mail: daniel.zytnicki@parisdescartes.fr

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MASTER PROJECT: Immunolabelling of cleared thick three-dimensional brain sections

Fluorescent-protein expression in genetically identified cell populations, along with advances in tissue clearing [Con15, Ri15] and three-dimensional (3-D) imaging [Ra19] allow reconstructions of
large tissue volumes, permitting studies of organisation and cellular circuitry at an unpreceden-ted detail. []

In our team, we developed an ultrafast, universal clearing agent that renders various tissues transparent within minutes, is non-toxic and preserves the tissue volume and fluorescence of most of the fluorophores and fluorescent proteins studied. In many applications, however, it would be desirable to counterstain autofluorescent or genetically encoded fluorophores with specific immunofluorescence to obtain a contextual information. Yet, the use of such probes in thick tissue has proven difficult and often requires optimization, following the limited depth penetation of primary and secondary antibodies and deletion of immunofluorescence by clearing agents. [Sou16, Pav18]

The current project aims at the optimization of antibody penetration and post-hoc labelling strategies in thick cleared sections of the rodent cortex and cerebellum and their observation with confocal, 2-photon and light-sheet microscopies.

Students should have a strong interest in experimental neuroscience, biophysics, or cell biology. The ideal candidate has already practical lab skills for, a background in quantitative biology, and a deep desire to understand the principles underlying the functioning of the nervous system. Cell culture, microscopic imaging and programming skills are beneficial. For applications we request: (i) a statement of motivation, (ii) a curriculum vitae, (iii) the names and emails of 2 academic references.

Further reading

[Con15] Constantino et al. (2015) Sci Rep. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep09808
[Pav18] Pavlova et al. (2018) Hippocampus https://doig.org/10.1002/hipo.22951
[Ra19] Rakotoson et al. (2019) Front Neuroanat. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnana.2019.00077
[Ri15] Richardson & Lichtman (2015) Cell. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2015.06.067
[Sou16] http://blogs.nature.com/methagora/2016/02/methods-and-probes-for-cleared-tissue-an-imperfect-
table.html

Contact

SPPIN. https://sppin.fr
E-mail: martin.oheim@parisdescartes.fr

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