PhD thesis (start: October 2012)
PhD thesis (start: October 2012)
PhD thesis (start: October 2012)
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Laboratory Charles Coulomb<br />
UMR 5221 - CNRS - University of Montpellier<br />
Montpellier - France<br />
<strong>PhD</strong> <strong>thesis</strong> (<strong>start</strong>: <strong>October</strong> <strong>2012</strong>)<br />
Confinement and transport of individual biomolecules<br />
inside a carbon nanotube<br />
Description<br />
The objective of this project at the interface between chemical, physical and<br />
biological nanosciences is the study of the electrophoretic transport of ions and<br />
biomolecules inside a carbon nanotube. A nanotube represents a pore of nanometric<br />
width through which a small biomolecule (such as a nucleic acid or a peptide) can only<br />
pass individually. The biomolecule can be identified by measuring the characteristic<br />
variation of ionic current generated by its transit through the pore (see references [1-<br />
2]). A nanotube is a special type of nanopore that is extremely long and has adjustable<br />
features (diameter, metallic or semiconducting nature). These unique features allow<br />
one to explore novel concepts such the nanocapillary electrophoresis of individual<br />
molecules, the detection and the control of the migration of the molecule with<br />
electrodes positioned locally.<br />
The principal axis of investigation will be the relation between the structural<br />
features of the nanotube and the properties of electrophoretic transport of simple<br />
biomolecules. It is expected that this project leads to the development of a precise and<br />
rapid method of identification of small individual biomolecules with numerous<br />
applications in biological analysis.<br />
The techniques used during the <strong>thesis</strong> will be the growth of nanotubes by CVD,<br />
their characterization by Raman spectroscopy, the standard microfabrication<br />
techniques (lithography…) and low-current measurements of the type used in<br />
electrophysiology (« patch-clamp »).<br />
The <strong>thesis</strong> will be based at the Laboratory Charles Coulomb of Montpellier in the<br />
South of France. The project will also imply collaborations with partner laboratories<br />
such as the Institute of Biomolecules Max Mousseron in Montpellier, the Laboratory<br />
Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants in Montpellier and the Laboratory UTINAM in<br />
Besançon, France.<br />
1. Lee, C., et al., Coherence Resonance in a Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Ion Channel.<br />
Science, 2010. 329(5997): p. 1320.<br />
2. Liu, H., et al., Translocation of single-stranded DNA through single-walled carbon nanotubes.<br />
Science, 2010. 327(5961): p. 64.<br />
Expected profile:<br />
Education: Master or equivalent diploma in Chemistry, Physics or Biophysics.<br />
Qualities: Autonomy, analysis skills, adaptation, great interest for experimental work<br />
and strong motivation for Research.
Start: <strong>October</strong> <strong>2012</strong><br />
Duration: 3 years<br />
When to candidate? Now<br />
Thesis directors: François Henn, Vincent Jourdain<br />
Website of Laboratoire Charles Coulomb:<br />
http://www.coulomb.univ-montp2.fr<br />
Web page of the host team:<br />
http://www.coulomb.univ-montp2.fr/-Equipe-Nanostructures-<br />
Contact: francois.henn@univ-montp2.fr, vincent.jourdain@univ-montp2.fr<br />
Send a motivation letter, a detailed CV, the marks of Licence and Master (or<br />
equivalent diploma) and the contact details of 1-3 references.
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