🎓Fully Funded PhD Scholarship: Yeast Synthetic Biology – France
🏥 About University of Tours
Applications are open for a Fully Funded PhD Yeast Synthetic Biology France position at the University of Tours, Plant Biomolecules and Biotechnologies (BBV) laboratory in Tours, France. This PhD project focuses on using synthetic biology to enable de novo production of complex monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs) in heterologous hosts (engineered cell factories).
Start Date: To be confirmed
🎯 Scholarship Overview
đź”— Research Project
Monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs) are a major class of plant specialized metabolites, including important anticancer drugs such as vinblastine. Their low natural abundance and restriction to a limited number of plant species create supply vulnerabilities.
This Fully Funded PhD Yeast Synthetic Biology France project focuses on using synthetic biology to enable de novo production of complex MIAs in heterologous hosts. The key challenge is the optimization of metabolic flux to prevent “metabolic leakage” and improve industrial-scale production titers.
đź“‹ Research Objectives
1. Upstream metabolic flux optimization
Elucidate novel biosynthetic enzymes to enhance flux toward MIAs.
2. Enhanced downstream production of natural MIAs
Increase flux downstream of strictosidine to enable efficient biosynthesis.
3. Production of halogenated “new-to-nature” MIAs
Apply flux-optimization to produce novel molecules with enhanced pharmacological potential.
đź“‹ Key Responsibilities
- Perform molecular biology techniques including cloning and genetic engineering
- Conduct yeast engineering and cultivation
- Apply CRISPR-based genome editing
- Optimize metabolic flux in engineered yeast cell factories
- Collaborate with research team on synthetic biology approaches
âś… Qualifications
Required
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, or related field |
| Background | Strong background in molecular biology, including cloning and genetic engineering |
| Experience | Practical experience in yeast and bacterial models |
| Expertise | Proven expertise in yeast engineering, cultivation, and CRISPR-based genome editing |
| Language | Excellent proficiency in English (written and oral) |
🔬 Research Environment
Laboratory: Plant Biomolecules and Biotechnologies (BBV) laboratory, University of Tours
Keywords: monoterpene indole alkaloids, yeast, synthetic biology, metabolic engineering strategies, anticancer agents bioproduction
đź’Ľ What They Offer
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Position | PhD position in Synthetic Biology |
| Location | Tours, France |
| Research Focus | Anticancer drug bioproduction using yeast |
| Environment | World-class research laboratory |
đź“ť How to Apply
Required Documents:
- CV
- Cover letter
- Academic transcripts
- Contact information for references
📧 Email: benoit.stpierre@univ-tours.fr and thomas.perrot@univ-tours.fr
👨‍🏫 Supervisors: Pr./Dr. Benoit St-Pierre and Dr. Thomas Perrot
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