Dynamic polymeric synthetic cells: design, fusion, and condensate control for enhanced membrane behaviours (DC16)

Hosted by:
Claudia Contini
Imperial College London, UK
Department of Life Sciences
profiles.imperial.ac.uk/c.contini

Project Specification

Project Summary

This research project aims to advance synthetic cell technology by developing synthetic constructs that mimic the structural and functional characteristics of biological cells. Focusing on the interaction between condensates and polymeric membranes, the project seeks to induce and control specific transformations in artificial cells. By leveraging polymer science, the team will manipulate the composition, morphology, and topology of these cells, facilitating dynamic behaviours such as membrane fusion, deformation, patterning, and division. Employing a combination of polymer synthesis, condensate dynamics studies, and advanced imaging techniques, the project intends to deepen our understanding of membrane-condensate interactions and develop new artificial cell designs.

The project will include secondments at Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Germany (Dimova group), the University of Santiago De Campostela in Spain (Montenegro group), University of Cambridge in UK (Di Michele group), and the University of Surrey in the UK (Guido group).

Selected References

A. Mangiarotti and R. Dimova, Biomolecular condensates in contact with membranes, Annu. Rev. Biophys. 53, 319-341 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-biophys-030722-121518
Contini, R. Pearson, L. Wang, L. Messager, J. Gaitzsch, L. Rizzello, L. Ruiz-Perez and G. Battaglia. Bottom-up evolution from disks to high-genus polymersomes. iScience, 7,132-144, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2018.08.018
A.S. Joseph, C. Contini, D. Cecchin, S. Nyberg, L. Ruiz-Perez, J. Gaitzsch, G. Fullstone, J. Azizi, J., Preston, G. Volpe and G. Battaglia. Chemotactic synthetic vesicles: Design and applications in bloodbrainbarrier crossing. Science Advances, 2017, 3 (8), e1700362 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1700362

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.

Candidate Specification

Qualifications

Essential	Desirable
Applicants should hold or expect to attain, as a minimum MSc degree, or equivalent, in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Physics, Chemistry, Molecular biology, Bioengineering or related area.	Practical experience with model membranes and/or biomolecular condensates

Knowledge and Experience

Essential	Desirable
Research project carried out in at least one of the above disciplines.	Microscopy experience (optical, confocal), programming skills
A demonstrated knowledge of at least one of the following: membrane biophysics, membrane biology, biomolecular condensates, molecular biology, synthetic biology, colloidal physical chemistry

Skills and Competencies

Essential	Desirable
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English.
Evidence of interest, aptitude and research experience in the above disciplines.

Application

Before applying, please check the eligibility criteria HERE
To apply, please follow THIS LINK

Further information

For any informal queries, please contact Claudia Contini by sending an email to c.contini [at] imperial.ac.uk