Lunaphore Technologies is a start-up company active in the field of in vitro diagnostics. We ... Knowledge in data analy
Job Opening: Post-Doc in Biotechnology Job title
Post-doctoral researcher
Contract
Post-doc UZH
Duration
1 year (extendible), 3 months of trial period
Starting date
October 1st, 2017
Lunaphore Technologies is a start-up company active in the field of in vitro diagnostics. We are developing a product called microfluidic tissue processor (MTP). This product is able to perform microfluidic-based immunohistochemistry (IHC) on tumor tissue samples. IHC is a key assay in human pathology. Hundreds of antigens with diagnostic or predictive relevance are routinely assessed on automated platforms. A major challenge is the detection of several protein biomarkers on a single tissue section, especially when the amount of tumor cells is limited. Such methodology would also allow for precise colocalization of epitopes in their respective cellular compartments as well as for prompt and reliable clinical diagnostics. This project aims at investigating the potential of Lunaphore’s MTP platform in performing multiplexed IHC stainings of immune and predictive biomarkers on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) surgical specimens of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients in order to refine personalized therapy. The project will be performed at Lunaphore Technologies SA premises on the EPFL Innovation Campus, in strong collaboration with the Institute of Pathology at University Hospital Zurich under the supervision of Prof. Alex Soltermann. We seek a highly motivated candidate to join us in Lausanne and to contribute directly to the development and growth of the company.
Key responsibilities Develop IHC assays on NSCLC FFPE samples using Lunaphore’s microfluidic platform in order to generate single IHC stainings as well as multiplexed lung panel using either TSA-based or sequential-elution methods. Perform incubations on existing tissue microarray (TMA) cohort of NSCLC patients and correlate immunoreactivity values with corresponding clinical data. Understand thoroughly all technical aspects of the prototype in order to optimize IHC protocols. Perform image processing in collaboration with the Institute of Pathology, USZ.
Write scientific publication on the outcome of the study.
Required skills You have a PhD degree in Histopathology, Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Engineering or a related field. You have experience in IHC/immunofluorescence on tissue sections and microscopy. Knowledge in data analysis and image processing is a major advantage. Knowledge in advanced genetic techniques such as (fluorescent) in situ hybridization (FISH/ISH) or in situ sequencing (ISS) is a plus. You are willing to contribute to the continuous technical improvement of the instrument. You are able to present your data in fluent English and to publish it in peerreviewed journals as first author. Knowledge of French language is a highly added value.
We offer A young and innovative high-tech start-up company. A multidisciplinary industrial research project on the EPFL Innovation campus and a collaboration with a clinical hospital environment at USZ. An international working environment with high level of diversity and strong network.
Contact information Please send your application (CV and letter of motivation) to Dr. Diego G. Dupouy (
[email protected]).
Literature[1][2][3] [1] R. Casanova et al., “Morphoproteomic Characterization of Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma Fragmentation, a Histological Marker of Increased Tumor Invasiveness,” Cancer Res., vol. 77, no. 10, pp. 2585–2593, May 2017. [2] D. G. Dupouy et al., “Continuous quantification of HER2 expression by microfluidic precision immunofluorescence estimates HER2 gene amplification in breast cancer,” Sci. Rep., vol. 6, p. 20277, Feb. 2016. [3] A. T. Ciftlik, H.-A. Lehr, and M. A. M. Gijs, “Microfluidic processor allows rapid HER2 immunohistochemistry of breast carcinomas and significantly reduces ambiguous (2+) read-outs,” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., vol. 110, no. 14, pp. 5363–5368, Mar. 2013.
Lunaphore Technologies, EPFL Innovation Park, Building C, CH-1015 Lausanne www.lunaphore.com
