ComeInCell Doctoral Network PhD Studentship: Synthetic neuronal mimetics to prototype and quantify membrane permeability and repair at the condensate interface

This PhD position is offered through the ComeInCell European MSCA Doctoral Network. More details about PhD projects offered through the ComeInCell Program can be found here: https://www.comeincell.org/projects

Hosted by:
Oskar Staufer
INM-Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Saarbrücken, Germany
Immuno Materials Research Group

Project Summary

The Immuno Materials Group, led by Oskar Staufer, has extensive experience in applying synthetic cell models for biomedical purposes and in characterizing the biophysics of intercellular signaling. The primary goal of their approach is to use precisely controlled synthetic cell models as substitutes for natural cells, enabling systematic studies of cellular interactions in both health and disease.

This project focuses on the interactions between protein condensates (formed from alpha-synuclein, synapsin, and TDP-43) and biomembranes, specifically how these interactions affect membrane permeability. A synthetic cell system will be developed to replicate neuronal cells, creating highly controlled models of neurodegenerative cells. In this system, the interactions between membranes and condensates will be studied to understand their role in regulating membrane permeability in neurodegeneration and inflammation. Importantly, the results from the synthetic cell models will be compared to experiments conducted on living neuronal cells.

To achieve this, the project combines advanced molecular engineering techniques with cutting-edge neuronal cell culturing technologies, along with RNA sequencing and proteomics assessments. Key techniques will include advanced fluorescence microscopy (SIM, light sheet, STED, LSCM), electron microscopy, immunoprofiling, flow cytometry, and 3D cell culturing.

The project will also involve secondments at the Max Planck Institute for Colloids and Interfaces (Dimova Group) and the University of Groningen (Bert Poolman). For more information on the research interests of the Staufer Group, visit their website: Staufer Lab.

Selected References

• Burgstaller A., Piernitzki N., Küchler N., Koch M., Kister T., Eichler H., Kraus T., Schwarz E., Dustin ML., Lautenschläger F., Staufer O.* (2024) Soft Synthetic Cells with Mobile Membrane Ligands for Ex Vivo Expansion of Therapy-Relevant T Cell Phenotypes. Small DOI: 10.1002/smll.202401844
• Hakami N., Burgstaller A., Gao N., Rutz A., Mann S., Staufer O.* (2024) Functional integration of synthetic cells into 3D microfluidic devices for artificial organs-on-a-chip. Advanced Healthcare Materials DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202303334
• Hernandez J.^#, Staufer O.*^#, Ostertag T., Mersdorf U., Platzman I.*, Spatz JP.* (2022) Bottom-up Assembly of Target-Specific Cytotoxic Synthetic Cells. Biomaterials 285, 121522 ^#shared first authorship

General Application Information
Funding information:
Funding agency: H2020-MSCA-ITN-2023 (Project Nr: 101168939)

Doctoral Candidate (DC) Allowances:
MSCA Doctoral Networks provide attractive salary terms and benefits, including a living allowance of around €3,400 (country correction coefficient applies), a mobility allowance of €600 and, a family allowance (€660 if applicable). Note that these are gross values and employer costs or other deductions depend on the recruiting host.

Mobility Conditions:
MSCA networks require that applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.

The individual scientific projects are planned within one of the partner Host Institution and every doctoral candidate will spend a part of their doctoral studies in another partner laboratory (a maximum of 12 months of their 36 months PhDs).

Standard duties and responsibilities of the DC:
For the 36 months of employment contract the doctoral candidate (DC) will be required to work exclusively on the MSCA programme. In all cases, all duties and responsibilities will be clearly outlined in the DC personal Career Development Plan, as determined in the early stages of the project between the DC and their supervisory committee.

Starting Date:
All projects will commence preferably within the first half of 2025, depending on the host institution. Contact the corresponding PIs for more details.

Candidate Specification

Qualifications
Essential: Applicants should hold or expect to attain, as a minimum MSc degree, or equivalent, in Biophysics, Biotechnology, Bioengineering or Bioinformatics.

Knowledge and Experience
Essential: Research project carried out in at least one of the above disciplines and a demonstrated knowledge of at least two of the following: fluorescence microscopy, cell culturing, flow cytometry membrane biophysics, synthetic biology

Skills and Competencies
Essential: Evidence of interest, aptitude and research experience in the above disciplines.

Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English.