Internship: Diffusivity measurement using isotachophoresis

The analysis of proteins and protein-ligand interactions is an essential discipline in fundamental chemistry, but also has important applications in applied research – for example, in protein purification, or the development of new drugs. Currently, most techniques used to quantify the affinity of a ligand for a given protein require immobilization of the protein or ligand on a surface. The aim of the project is to develop a new technique in which proteins and ligands are trapped and concentrated using electric fields on a microfluidic chip before being analyzed. This method provides a reliable estimate of the interaction between a protein and a given ligand, without requiring any modifications to their immobilization.

The intern will participate in the development and implementation of the experimental procedure used for the quantification of protein-ligand interactions, as well as in the analysis and interpretation of the results. The candidate will draw on his or her knowledge of physical chemistry, and will be trained in the use of various microfluidic techniques: microfluidic chip design, 3D printing, microfabrication, fluorescence microscopy, on-chip electrophoresis (isotachophoresis), image analysis and processing. He will be co- supervised by Alexandre Avaro, PhD student working on the project in the Laboratoire de Biochimie (LBC) team, and Andrew Griffiths, professor at ESPCI Paris (director of LBC).

ESPCI Paris – PSL (École Supérieure de Physique et de Chimie Industrielles de la Ville de Paris) is a general engineering school which, since 1882, has been training adaptable, creative engineers with a solid theoretical and experimental background, who are aware of the challenges facing society. It is renowned for its ability to transform the knowledge generated by fundamental research into breakthrough innovations (2 patents per month, 3 start-ups per year). It has been awarded 6 Nobel Prizes, and is home to 400 engineering students, 530 researchers (including 250 PhD students and 100 post-docs) in 10 joint research units, and around 100 research and teaching support staff.

Applications should be sent by e-mail to job-lbc@espci.fr.

Supervisors: Andrew Griffiths and Alexandre Avaro
Emails: andrew.griffiths@espci.fr and alexandre.avaro@espci.fr