Postdoctal position on Bioelectricity & Topographic-sensing Full-time

Within the frame of the BioMechanOE transverse project of the Labex “Who Am I?“ network of
excellence, the team of Dr. Nicolas Chevalier (http://nicochevalier.net) at Laboratoire Matière &
Systèmes Complexes (MSC) and the team of Dr. Wang Xi at Institut Jacques Monod (IJM) are
hiring postdoctoral candidates and/or engineers to investigate the effects of bioelectrical and
3D topographic signals on cell and organ differentiation, migration, proliferation and
metabolism.
We are just starting to unravel how electrical signals stemming from the cell membrane potential
orchestrate development (1), regeneration (2) at the single- and multicellular level, in homeostasis
or disease (3). Topography–induced collective migration (e.g. substrate curvature) links closely to
bioelectrical properties (4,5) and cancer invasion in 3D matrices (6-12). In this project, we will
explore how bioelectrical properties, electrical stimuli and 3D topographic signals influence cell
metabolism and ultimately determine cell fate. The recruited candidates will have the chance to
become pioneers in this exciting field of research, in two of the foremost research institute and
university in France.
For consideration, applicants need to submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae with full publication
list and statement of research interests (1-2 pages maximum) in PDF format to:
nicolas.chevalier@u-paris.fr and Dr. Wang Xi .
Work duties
The candidates will develop innovative, high-throughput cell and organ electric stimulation setups
to investigate how membrane potential, static and time-variable electric fields impact biological
fate or 3D scaffolds consisting of defined out-of-plane curvatures. Biological systems of interest
include embryonic or adult intestine, isolated intestinal mesenchymal cells, epithelial cells, tumour
cells from human colonic carcinoma and from stromal gastro-intestinal tumors. The systems will
be characterized in terms of membrane potential (voltage-sensitive dyes, calcium imaging,
electrophysiology), differentiation (immunohistochemistry, RNAseq, proteomics), migration (live
2D or 3D confocal imaging), proliferation, metabolism (Seahorse methodology). A
microfabrication facility will also allow to examine how 2D or 3D topographic or mechanical cues
interact with bioelectrical or metabolic properties.

The candidates will:
 Plan, direct and conduct advanced research experiments, evaluate and analyze data
 Summarize research findings and publish results in international scientific journals
 Supervise interns and be responsible for laboratory operations
 Write or assist in writing research projects
The candidates will benefit from the scientifically rich environment of the Labex, comprising
specialists in biophysics, embryology, cell biology and metabolism.
Minimum qualifications
Ph.D. in biophysics, biomedical engineering, physiology, neurosciences, biological and health
sciences, electrical engineering or related fields.
Preferred Qualifications
 Experience in cell biology, developmental biology, metabolism
 Experience in electrophysiology, electrochemistry and electrical aspects of cell function
 Experience in microfabrication and bioengineering
Salary and duration of the contracts
2400 – 2900 € net / month depending on experience. Funding for a minimum of one year with
possible extension.
References
1. Levin M, Pezzulo G, Finkelstein JM. Endogenous
Bioelectric Signaling Networks: Exploiting Voltage
Gradients for Control of Growth and Form. Annu Rev
Biomed Eng. 2017;
2. McLaughlin KA, Levin M. Bioelectric signaling in
regeneration: Mechanisms of ionic controls of growth and
form. Developmental Biology. 2018.
3. Payne SL, Levin M, Oudin MJ. Bioelectric Control of
Metastasis in Solid Tumors. Bioelectricity. 2019;
4. Silver BB, Wolf AE, Lee J, Pang MF, Nelson CM.
Epithelial tissue geometry directs emergence of bioelectric
field and pattern of proliferation. Mol Biol Cell.
2020;31(16):1691–702.
5. Schofield Z, Meloni GN, Tran P, Zerfass C, Sena G,
Hayashi Y, et al. Bioelectrical understanding and
engineering of cell biology. J R Soc Interface. 2020;17(166).
6. Zhang J, Goliwas KF, Wang W, Taufalele P V, Bordeleau
F, Reinhart-King CA. Energetic regulation of coordinated
leader–follower dynamics during collective invasion of
breast cancer cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2019 Apr
16;116(16):7867 LP – 7872.
7. Xi W, Sonam S, Beng Saw T, Ladoux B, Teck Lim C.
Emergent patterns of collective cell migration under tubular
confinement. Nat. Commun. 2017;8(1):1517.
8. Xi W, Saw TB, Delacour D, Lim CT, Ladoux B. Material
approaches to active tissue mechanics. Nat Rev Mater.
2019;4(1):23–44.
9. Yevick HG, Duclos G, Bonnet I, Silberzan P. Architecture
and migration of an epithelium on a cylindrical wire. Proc
Natl Acad Sci. 2015 May 12;112(19):5944 LP – 5949.
10. Gjorevsky N. et al. Tissue geometry drives deterministic
organoid patterning. Science (80- ). 2022 Jan
25;375(6576):eaaw9021.
11. Pieuchot L, Marteau J, Guignandon A, Dos Santos T,
Brigaud I, Chauvy P-F, et al. Curvotaxis directs cell
migration through cell-scale curvature landscapes. Nat.
Commun. 2018;9(1):3995.
12. Messal HA, Alt S, Ferreira RMM, Gribben C, Wang VMY, Cotoi CG, et al. Tissue curvature and apicobasal
mechanical tension imbalance instruct cancer
morphogenesis. Nature. 2019;566(7742):126–30.

Tagged as: Life Sciences