Biomimetic 3D Materials for More Predictive Intestinal Toxicity Testing

Thesis topic details

General information

Organisation

The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation in four main areas :
• defence and security,
• nuclear energy (fission and fusion),
• technological research for industry,
• fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences.

Drawing on its widely acknowledged expertise, and thanks to its 16000 technicians, engineers, researchers and staff, the CEA actively participates in collaborative projects with a large number of academic and industrial partners.

The CEA is established in ten centers spread throughout France
  

Reference

SL-DRF-27-0356  

Direction

DRF

Thesis topic details

Category

Life Sciences

Thesis topics

Biomimetic 3D Materials for More Predictive Intestinal Toxicity Testing

Contract

Thèse

Job description

Assessing the toxicity of chemical substances to human health requires reliable experimental models that accurately reflect human physiology. The intestine represents a major interface between the human body and its environment, yet current cellular models fail to fully reproduce its structural organization and physical properties. This PhD project aims to develop advanced intestinal models using three-dimensional biomimetic materials (BAM). Through 3D printing technologies, these materials will reproduce key architectural features of the intestine, including its crypts and villi. An innovative, patented coating, whose mechanical properties can be tuned independently of scaffold geometry, will mimic essential characteristics of the intestinal extracellular matrix. Intestinal organoid-derived cells will be cultured on these scaffolds to develop models that more closely resemble human intestinal physiology. The project will investigate how microenvironmental geometry and stiffness influence intestinal cell organization, differentiation, and function. The resulting models will then be exposed to reference chemicals with known toxicological effects. Cellular responses will be analyzed and compared with those obtained using conventional culture models. The objective is to determine whether better reproducing the intestinal microenvironment can improve the sensitivity, reproducibility, and physiological relevance of toxicity testing. This interdisciplinary project will combine biomaterials engineering, cell biology, mechanobiology, and toxicology. Ultimately, these advanced intestinal models could also contribute to reducing the reliance on animal experimentation.

University / doctoral school

Ingénierie pour la Santé, la Cognition et l’Environnement (EDISCE)
Université Grenoble Alpes

Thesis topic location

Site

Grenoble

Requester

Position start date

01/10/2027

Person to be contacted by the applicant

CARRIERE Marie marie.carriere@cea.fr
CEA
DRF/IRIG//SYMMES
17 rue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble
0438780328

Tutor / Responsible thesis director

Migliorini Elisa elisa.migliorini@cea.fr
CNRS
équipre CIBEST, SyMMES, IRIG, DIESE
17, rue des martyrs
+33 4 38781910

En savoir plus

https://biosante-lab.fr/en/Pages/BRM/migliorini-elisa.aspx
https://www.symmes.fr/Pages/CIBEST/Presentation.aspx