C3M - Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire

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Champs scientifiques

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Date limite de candidature

Our team investigates the role of the extracellular matrix and inflammatory microenvironment in tumor biology. Our activities are geared towards a better understanding of metastasis and treatment resistance in cutaneous melanoma, and integrate basic, preclinical and translational research approaches.

A Master 2 internship position is available in the Microenvironment, Signalling and cancer (Micro Can) team at the Mediterranean Centre for Molecular Medecine (Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, C3M) in Nice, France. Our team investigates the role of the extracellular matrix and inflammatory microenvironment in tumor biology. Our activities are geared towards a better understanding of metastasis and treatment resistance in cutaneous melanoma, and integrate basic, preclinical and translational research approaches.
Background
Melanoma is a highly aggressive skin cancer due to its plasticity and strong metastatic potential. New therapeutic weapons, such as targeted therapies and immunotherapies, are used to treat it at the metastatic stage. However, these therapies benefit only certain patients, and their clinical effectiveness is limited by the rapid emergence of sometimes very aggressive resistance. Our team is focused on the mechanisms responsible for therapeutic resistance in melanoma. Our research targets the tumor microenvironment, particularly its non-cellular component, the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM, mainly produced by fibroblasts, is a fibrillar structure rich in collagen whose biochemical and mechanical properties impact the development and therapeutic resistance of many solid cancers. Our recent work reveals an original role of this ECM in the adaptation and resistance to targeted therapies in melanoma. The goal of our research is to better understand how tumor cells perceive signals from the surrounding ECM and integrate them to make the tumor more aggressive and resistant to therapies.
Objectives
The Master's project aims to study new key "players" in the dialogue between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and tumor cells and to analyze the consequences of their pharmacological or genetic targeting on metastatic dissemination and therapeutic resistance in melanomas. Using experimental approaches that combine cellular and molecular biology, extracellular matrix imaging, and preclinical melanoma models, we will investigate how the identified candidates enable cancer cells to adapt to treatments and become more aggressive. We will also attempt to uncover the molecular mechanisms involved. The goal of this internship is to demonstrate the value of targeting the ECM/melanoma dialogue in order to reduce its aggressiveness and make it more sensitive to anti-cancer therapies.

We are seeking applicants with a strong interest in oncology and a solid training in cellular biology, molecular biology and biochemistry, and wishing to continue with a Ph D. The student will work in an interactive scientific environment, attend seminars, and present their work during lab meetings. Training will include molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, flow cytometry, and microscopy techniques. The candidate should be motivated and work well with other team members.

06/01/2025