MasterNanosciences, nanotechnologies

The project is based on the elaboration of filtration membranes by silicon nanolithography technologies, and on the inclusion of these membranes with controlled size and density of nanopores in microfluidic devices mimicking the role of renal structures (glomeruli and tubules) involved in blood filtration. One of the key points for the success of the project is to guarantee the filtration capacities of the membranes over time, during a continuous exposure to blood flow. This implies in particular to prevent non-specific adsorption of blood plasma proteins (e.g. albumin or fibrinogen) on the surface of the membranes, adsorption that would lead to a progressive blockage of the pores and a degradation of the filtration performances. The objective of the proposed internship is to participate in the development of macromolecular layers, in the form of polymer brushes, acting as anti-adhesive coatings towards plasma proteins, and to characterize their performances.

The candidate will be involved in the following tasks:

• implement and optimize polymer brush synthesis protocols, in particular by surface initiated polymerization
• characterize the macromolecular parameters of these brushes (surface density, molecular weight, hydration state),
• study the adsorption of proteins on such brushes,
• graft the brushes identified as well-performing on the nanoporous membranes envisaged for the final application.

Qualifications of the applicant

Soft Nano Program:  M1 Soft Matter and Biophysics - Nanochemistry - Phelma Biomedical engineering
Expected skills: We are looking for a soft matter physical-chemist, a careful experimentalist with a taste for interdisciplinary research at the interface between chemistry, physics and biology