Translating adhesin-ligand interaction towards existing diagnostic platforms (bioMérieux (France)) - (ViBrANT ITN)

Available at bioMérieux (France)
Supervisor: Dr. Odile Mejan Letourneur, Dr. Alice Banz, Prof. Alex van Belkum
Location: BioMérieux, Marcy L’Etoile, France

Background: BioMérieux designs, manufactures and markets systems, technologies and diagnostic tests to allow the detection and identification of pathogenic agents responsible for infectious disease. The current project’s overall aim is to use adhesion-ligand couples or other forms of bimolecular interaction toward the efficient detection of microbial pathogens with proven clinical usefulness. All these will be explored in the ViBrANT network. This PhD project is one of 15 in this training network. The PhD students in the network will work on measuring and understanding the binding modes of adhesins, on the structural biology and biophysics of adhesion, and on aspects of pathogen capture including microfluidics and the development of new diagnostic platforms.

Aim of project: C. difficile infection is a healthcare-associated disease linked to the use of antibiotics: 15-25% of diarrhea cases after antibiotic treatment are due to C. difficile. Because of low sensitivity of current immunoassays detecting the C. difficile toxins, most of the laboratory are currently using molecular tests to detect toxigenic bacteria, thus identifying not only infected patients but also those who are colonized (5-20%). The aim of this project is to improve the current diagnosis (differentiate infection from colonization) and allow prediction of patient outcome. This will permit the physicians to adapt and/or select the appropriate treatment and potentially reduce the risk of recurrence (25% of cases). The project will use modern immunological technologies, the VIDAS system will be explored as a potential read-out system but new technologies will be integrated as well (MALDI TOF mass spectrometry, binding studies, genomic microbial sequencing etc).

Requirements: As a PhD student in the bioMerieux R&D Immunoassay Department you will work within the Anticipation Team, executing research to demonstrate evidence that an ultra-sensitive immunoassay detecting C. difficile toxins improves its diagnosis and patient management. The group has about 100 employees and comprises of Anticipation, Development and Support units. Knowledge and expertise in ultra-sensitive immune technologies will be acquired, as well as in diagnosis methods, C. difficile infection and prognostic markers. A combination of molecular biological, biochemical, and cell biological techniques will be used. Your work will be linked to projects from leaders in C. difficile research, creating opportunities for synergy and additional collaborative research. You will also develop expertise in assay development and submission to regulatory agencies.

A master’s degree in biology or a similar field is required. Practical laboratory experience with immunoassay technology is preferable and experience with anaerobic bacterial cell culture and in vitro cell culture is advantageous. You should be highly motivated to focus in-depth on scientific research questions to improve diagnosis and patient management. An ability to work independently is essential, and you should be able to communicate well with colleagues and be comfortable to work jointly with international research groups with respect to confidential information from the company.

Further details on this project are available from Dr Alice Banz ([Email Address Removed]). Further details on bioMerieux can be obtained at www.biomerieux.com