Postdoctoral researcher in Biophysics (M/W)

Organisation/Company

CNRS

Department

Laboratoire de Physique

Research Field

Chemistry » Physical chemistry
Physics » Chemical physics
Physics » Biophysics

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

France

Application Deadline

3 Feb 2024 – 23:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

35

Offer Starting Date

4 Mar 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

DNA programming is a field that uses biochemistry to design artificial systems made of DNA/RNA that can fold in 2D or 3D structures, embedding computation abilities. Those systems are based on two main techniques:
• DNA origamis which allow to build reliably and with a high yield the initial support for the computation
• algorithmic self-assembly as theorized and later implemented in DNA by Erik Winfree in 1998 whose principle is to design short DNA strands that will collectively assemble into a larger shape, while conducting computations as tiles do in theoretical algorithmic tilings.
We focus here on solving graph algorithms and our goal in this project is to design artificial DNA strands that attach to each other’s in such a way that it solves a maze self-assembled onto an origami platform that we design. Such origami mazes have already been solved using DNA navigators that bind to the origami in such a way that drawing a path on the maze is irreversible (hairpins are consumed). In this project we will solve the maze using a random walk that will stop walking only when it reaches the exit. To do so, we use DNA strand displacement mechanism where the kinetics of molecular rearrangement is controlled by toehold DNA sequence and length designs. The biophysical approach we propose will rely on fluorescence quenching kinetic measurements as well as single molecule AFM imaging

The successful candidate will be responsible for the design and production of DNA origami, followed by AFM imaging of these DNA origamis forming a maze. Then, the successive attachment/detachment of DNA strands leading to a random walk on the labyrinth-origami will be followed by fluorimetry experiments to obtain the overall kinetic parameters and by AFM imaging in liquid medium to visualise the walker’s progress at the level of the single molecule.

This research project is an interdisciplinary collaboration between two teams with complementary expertise in DNA programming, DNA origami design and graph problem solving on the one hand, and DNA biophysics, single molecule imaging or nano-mechanics of protein assemblies on the other. The work will take place in the physics laboratory of the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, where 2 AFM set-ups are available, as well as facilities for preparing and characterising samples.

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Physics

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Physics

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Languages

FRENCH

Level

Basic

Research Field

Chemistry » Physical chemistry

Years of Research Experience

1 – 4

Research Field

Physics » Chemical physics

Years of Research Experience

1 – 4

Research Field

Physics » Biophysics

Years of Research Experience

1 – 4

Additional Information
Eligibility criteria

Candidates with a recent or forthcoming PhD and experience in one of the following fields: biophysics, atomic force microscopy or soft condensed matter are strongly encouraged to apply. We are looking for someone who is motivated by the experimental and interdisciplinary aspects of this project.

Website for additional job details

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR5672-CENMOS-003/Default.aspx

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Laboratoire de Physique

Country

France

City

LYON 07

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Candidat/Offre/UMR5672-CENMOS-003/Candidater.aspx

Contact

City

LYON 07

Website

http://www.ens-lyon.fr/PHYSIQUE/

STATUS: EXPIRED