| Missions |  The SpaiCon project is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation through the "Exploratory Interdisciplinary Synergy 2021" program. In this international (between Denmark, USA and France) and interdisciplinary (biology, bioelectronics, microfabrication and computational sciences) research project, we propose the development of a new technology called "SPAtIal CONnectomics (SpaiCon)", able to process complex cellular information. The main goal is to combine the multiplexed error-robust fluorescence in situ hybridization (MERFISH) platform for spatial transcriptomic profiling with multi-electrode arrays to measure the electrophysiological activity of neurons. MERFISH characterizes gene expression in individual cells using fluorescent probes and allows spatial localization of expressed mRNA transcripts. Multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) can record electrical activity and/or stimulate cells at specific sites within a 2D tissue slice or neural network. Thanks to our diverse expertise in the fields of microelectronics, neuroscience and bioinformatics, we aim to create a new multi-omics analysis platform that will allow the study of spatio-temporal biological dynamics. The project involves the fabrication and evaluation of transparent multi-electrode arrays in PEDOT:PSS compatible with MERFISH technology. The results of the SpaiCon project will have a strong impact on neuroscience, but also on cardiology and other fields of biology, as it will allow an unprecedented multimodal characterization of the tissues considered. In particular, it will open new avenues for understanding the expression of genes influencing electrophysiological activity and vice versa. SpaiCon will be of interest to researchers studying basic biology, tissue regeneration and vascularization as well as those interested in translational approaches to developing new therapies for neurodegenerative, cardiovascular and muscular diseases. |
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| Work Context: | The project will take place at the Institute of Electronics, Microelectronics and Nanotechnology (IEMN) located in Villeneuve d'Ascq (Hauts de France). The IEMN is a research institute created by the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), two universities and an engineering school in the northern region. The IEMN's facilities for the design, fabrication and characterization of micro/nano devices are at the highest European level. The total staff of the institute is about 500 people including 109 professors and associate professors, 45 CNRS researchers, 100 engineers and administrative staff, about 150 PhD students as well as 30 post docs and visiting professors. The laboratory is very open to international collaborations with more than 100 foreign scientists from 20 different countries currently working at IEMN. The scientific activity of the IEMN covers a wide range of fields from materials physics and nanostructures to microwaves, telecommunications and acoustic instrumentation. |
| Constraints and risks | Nothing special. Training provided for the different equipment of the platforms as well as a safety training dedicated to physical, chemical and biological risks. Access to a ZRR. |
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Host Unit: Référence : Type de contrat : Durée du contrat : Date d’embauche: Quotité de travail : Rémunération : Niveau d’études: Expérience souhaitée : Pour plus d’informations: |
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