Research scientist position to study the role of metabolic dialogues in drug resistance of acute myeloid leukemia

« Targeting metabolic dialogue in drug resistance of acute myeloid leukemia »

Despite an improvement in the complete response rate obtained after conventional chemotherapy, overall survival of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients is still poor due to relapses caused by tumor regrowth initiated by drug resistant leukemic clones. The project aims at elucidating how the metabolic dialogue between the stromal compartment and leukemic blasts can contribute to the onset of drug resistance and to identify metabolic targets to overcome it.

The scientist will be involved in a highly collaborative project between the RESTORE ("Metabolic interplay and age-associated loss of function") and CRCT ("Oncometabolism and Drug Resistance in Acute Myeloid Leukemia") teams. Using patient derived xenograft models well handled by the CRCT team headed by Jean-Emmanuel Sarry, the candidate will be highly involved in the establishment of a precise cellular and metabolic mapping of stromal cells and AML blasts, not only in the bone marrow but also in several extramedullary organs. She/he will also be devoted to unravel the metabolic interactions existing between stromal cells including mesenchymal stromal cells and adipocytes, and blasts, and their role in the development of chemoresistance. Her/his work will be done in close collaboration with students and engineers working on the project, especially the bioinformatic engineer also recruited through the grant.
General responsibilities include design, implement and interpret experiments, both independently and in collaboration, and communicate research and findings in a clear and concise manner. The candidate will present the progress of the project during bi-monthly meetings between the two teams, as well as during national and international conferences.