Development of intranasal therapeutic mRNA vaccines

Institut Curie; Île-de-France; Sur place; EUR 40 000 - 60 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading cancer research institute in France is looking for a Master’s student for an internship focused on developing therapeutic mRNA vaccines for intranasal delivery. The candidate will also work on protein-based vaccines targeting lung cancer. A background in molecular biology, immunology, or biochemistry is required, along with a strong interest in interdisciplinary research. This is an excellent opportunity to prepare for a PhD in a dynamic research environment.

Qualifications

• Master's student (M2) in relevant field with a strong interest in interdisciplinary research.
• Desire to pursue a PhD.

Responsabilités

• Develop therapeutic mRNA vaccines suitable for intranasal delivery.
• Contribute to development of protein-based vaccines targeting lung cancer.

Connaissances

Cell culture

Western blots

Confocal microscopy

Flow cytometry

Click chemistry

Protein folding and purification

in vitro transcription

Cloning

Lipid nanoparticle formulation

Peptide synthesis

Formation

Master’s degree in molecular biology, immunology, or biochemistry

Description du poste

Description

The landscape of cancer immunotherapy has evolved profoundly over recent decades, reshaping the approach to cancer treatment. Unlike conventional therapies such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, which directly target tumor cells, immunotherapy stimulates the host immune system to recognize, attack, and eliminate malignant cells. Therapeutic cancer vaccines aim to elicit antitumor immune responses in tumors lacking pre-existing specific tumor reactive T cells. Dendritic cells (DCs), through their ability to cross-present antigens to naïve cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), represent a key target for vaccination.

Mucosal surfaces are constantly exposed to environmental trauma, and are more exposed to infections, chronic inflammation, or mutational burden. Mucosal immunity is characterized by the production of secretory IgA antibodies and the presence of tissue-resident lymphocytes (Trm). The aim of mucosal immunization is to induce these responses in order to block infections directly at pathogen entry sites and / or generate antigen‑specific T cells and Trm responses against mucosal cancers (e.g. lung cancer, head and neck cancers).

Messenger RNA vaccines have gained substantial attention since the COVID‑19 pandemic, particularly for their capacity to encoded multiple antigens without the constrains of protein or peptide purification and solubility. Current licensed and clinical‑stage mRNA vaccines induce strong systemic immune responses following intramuscular or intravenous administration, against viral infections as well as different types of solid tumors. However, induced immunity at mucosal level, especially in the respiratory tract remains limited, and intranasal delivery of mRNA represent a challenge to trigger potent mucosal immunity.

Objectives:

This internship aims to develop therapeutic mRNA vaccines suitable for intranasal delivery. In parallel, the selected candidate will contribute to the development of protein‑based subunit vaccines targeting lung cancer antigens or others mucosal infections / tumors.

Key references

Pardi, N. .. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 17, –.

Pandey, A. .Intranasal mRNA vaccines : Targeting mucosal immunity through optimized delivery. Molecular Therapy Nucleic Acids, 36, .

Billet, A. .A synthetic delivery vector for mucosal vaccination. Biomaterials, .

Nizard, M. .Induction of resident memory T cells enhances the efficacy of cancer vaccine. Nature Communications, 8, .

Sandoval, F. .Mucosal imprinting of vaccine‑induced CD8+ T cells is crucial to inhibit the growth of mucosal tumors. Science Translational Medicine, 5.

Profile

Candidate profile

Master’s student (M2) in molecular biology, immunology, or biochemistry with strong interest in interdisciplinary research, and wanting to pursue a PhD.

Techniques involved

Cell culture, Western blots, Confocal microscopy, Flow cytometry, Click chemistry, Protein folding and purification, in vitro transcription, Cloning, Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation, Peptide synthesis.

Starting date

Dès que possible