Location: Paris area
Laboratoire Modélisation et Simulation Multi Echelle (MSME, UMR 8208 CNRS)
Université Paris-Est Créteil Val de Marne (UPEC)
61, avenue du Général de Gaulle 94010 Créteil Cedex France
Starting date: Fall 2024
Context: Endometriosis is an inflammatory and chronic disease that affects near 1 in 10 women. It is characterized by the presence and the pathological proliferation of tissue similar to the endometrium (uterine mucosa) outside the uterus. This project partially funded by the patients’ association EndoFrance and the French Endometriosis Research Foundation (Fondation pour la recherche sur l’endométriose, EndoMeca project) targets endometriosis biomechanics. The overarching goal is to evaluate the influence of endometriosis on the distribution of forces in the abdomen, and the perception of these stresses within the pathological tissues. The role of mechanics in the development of endometriosis and patient symptoms is a subject that is mostly unexplored. However, it is evident today that endometriosis alters the mechanical properties of tissues and that these pathological developments have an impact on pelvic pain and the functioning of organs.
Objectives: The goal of the EndoMeca study is to uncover the role of mechanobiology on endometriosis physiopathology at the different scales, from cell mechanosensation to organ mechanics. The candidate will collect the first data on mechanobiology of endometriotic tissue, and subsequently provide the tools to quantify endometriosis-induced changes in local and macroscopic mechanics and biochemistry.
Within the scope of this project, three research axes will be explored over the next years. The first axis focuses on experimental work in histology and mechanics – investigating the links between the tissue mechanical behavior and the pathological micro-environment. Significant 2D and 3D data will be obtained from the analysis of biopsies through several imaging modalities. The second research axis involves image analysis including rendering, segmentation and meshing of 3D heterogeneous volumes to perform a quantitative analysis of the impact of endometriosis on various pelvic organs. The third part of the project is centered on theoretical and numerical modeling. The challenge will be to reproduce the changes in pelvic tissue geometry, microstructure and biomechanical properties through the definition of a relevant growth and remodeling law.
The candidate will be expected to conduct the research within one or several of these axes.
The candidate: The scope of this study is broad and we currently accept applications from various backgrounds: mechanical engineering, materials science / engineering, biomechanics, bioengineering, biology or image processing.
We will give priority to candidates with at least 2 of the following skills:
- 2D/3D segmentation
- Finite element analysis
- Histology
- Light/ Fluorescence Microscopy
- Mechanics of materials
- Programming knowledge (C, Matlab, Python…)
- The interest in living tissue and clinical applications will be appreciated but is not necessary.
Deadline: March 29th, 2024. After that date, please contact Dr Martin as other opportunities may be available then.
How to apply: Please send your CV and cover letter to Madge MARTIN (madge.martin@cnrs.fr), Matthieu CARUEL (matthieu.caruel@u-pec.fr) and Vittorio SANSALONE (vittorio.sansalone@u-pec.fr).