PhD Position: Mechanics of Macrophage-Mediated Trogocytosis in Tumor Cells

This PhD position at the Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS) in Toulouse, France, focuses on investigating the mechanical forces and cytoskeletal dynamics involved in trogocytosis—a process where macrophages extract fragments from tumor cells. The project aims to characterize cytoskeletal structure and force generation during trogocytosis, using human and murine cell models, real-time microscopy, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, and pharmacological inhibitors. The successful candidate will collaborate with leading researchers at IPBS and SickKids Hospital in Toronto, contributing to fundamental insights into macrophage-mediated tumor cell degradation and immune modulation in cancer.

• Develop experimental models of trogocytosis using human and murine macrophages and tumor cells.
• Quantify trogocytosis events using real-time microscopy and fixed-sample imaging techniques.
• Design and implement specific labeling strategies to distinguish trogocytosis from phagocytosis.
• Apply pharmacological inhibitors and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to study cytoskeletal contributions to trogocytosis.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data to elucidate the mechanical forces and cytoskeletal dynamics involved.
• Collaborate with researchers at SickKids Hospital in Toronto for comparative studies.
• Present research findings at national and international conferences and publish results in peer-reviewed journals.