The University of Paris Saclay for the laboratory directed by Pr Laurence ZITVOGEL, located in Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif-Grand Paris, FRANCE is offering a 3 year-fully funded PhD fellowship, through the T-OP european program on CAR T cells and gut microbiota.
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate holding a master degree or equivalent in immunology, microbiology, biology, biochemistry, cell biology, molecular medicine or a similar program to join our T-OP funded research program.
Laurence Zitvogel group, UMR1015 research unit « Tumor Immunology and immunotherapy of cancer » is exploring the gut microbiota and its pro or anti -tumor immune functions. Bacteria modulate the antitumor efficacy in preclinical tumor models and clinical trials in cancer patients receiving conventional anticancer compounds and immunomodulators (Immune checkpoint inhibitors, immunogenic chemotherapy). These findings support the concept whereby bacteria-mediated interactions with the immune system are essential for optimal drug efficacy. Adoptive T cell therapy (ACT), that uses a patient’s own immune system to fight tumors, has recently been approved by medicines agencies in leukemia and lymphoma patients. Clinical trials of ACT for solid tumors are undergoing and this field is rapidly expanding.
The PhD student applicant will explore the role of the gut microbiota in modulating the efficacy of adoptive T cell therapy (CAR T cells / TCR modified cells), using a mouse model and human samples from patients undergoing ACT in Institut Gustave Roussy.
The position is offered for a period of 3 years. The starting date is from June 2021 to February 2022, according to the candidate availabilities.