Doctorant chercheur

Contenuto del lavoro

Engagement d’un(e) doctorant(e) dans le cadre d’un projet de la région Wallonne - Nutrition et santé

Sites :

1) Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI)/ Metabolic and Nutritional research group (LDRI/MNUT, 73 avenue E. Mounier, B1.7311, 1200 Brussels);

2) Preclinical & Pharming Unit / Immunobiology Unit (CER Groupe, Novalis Science Park Aye, Rue de la Science 8, 6900 Marche-en-Famenne)

Promoter :Prof N Delzenne,Metabolic and Nutritional research group (MNUT)

Copromoter : P Stordeur(Preclinical manager)

Allowance: fixed term contract financed by an Excellence project (Walloon Region)

Time span: from 01/01/2023 for a maximum of 4 years

Project/scientific context.

The PEPTIBoost project which falls within the doctoral thesis is part of a consortium of academic partners, research centres and agri-food industries located in the Walloon region (Win4Excellence) and offers an opportunity to experience two environnements in the course of the thesis: an acknowledged research centre and a university laboratory.

The purpose of the thesis is to establish two murine models of obesity associated with intestinal and/or systemic inflammation (« Western diet »/LPS developed at CER, « Western diet »+ gluten developed at UCLouvain). The aim is to test in these models the effect of peptide hydrolysates and microbiotics (probiotics, prebiotics) which are interesting for local industrial developments. The research aims at clarifying the role of interesting and innovative targets (role of intestinal and microbiome endopeptidase ; involvement of the TLR-4).

The applicant who will be selected will be involved in :

• In vivo mouse studies (supervision of the animals, consumption, body weight, blood test, …)
• Data capture by non-invasive in vivo imagery
• The use of molecular biology techniques : extraction and dosage of ARNm (RT-qPCR), preparation of samples for DNA16S sequencing (microbiome), western-blot
• The monitoring of immune and inflammatory parameters (FACS / MSD / Elispot)
• Histological analysis (immuno-histochemistry)
• Biochemichal analysis (enzyme activity, protein/peptides dosage by ELISA, EIA, MSD...).

Required qualifications and abilities :

• Master degree in pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical sciences, bio-engineering, veterinary medicine or equivalent
• FELASA certificate to manipulate animals (failing that, the person will have to take a training at the very beginning of the thesis and obtain that certificate)
• Experience/training in animal testing, in molecular biology and in biochemical analysis
• Be comfortable handling animals, and not, in any way, have rodents and lagomorphs at home, in order to respect health standards in force
• Use basic computer programs (Excel, Word, Basic statistics)
• Capacity to learn new techniques rapidly
• Report writing (in French) and article writing in English
• Highly motivated by scientific research

Contact :

Audrey Neyrinck (UCL/LDRI/MNut) : audrey.neyrinck@uclouvain.be

Philippe Stordeur (CER Groupe) : p.stordeur@cergroupe.be