PhD : Evaluation of the allergic potential of hemp seed (Cannabis sativa L.)

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INRAE presentation

The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) is a major player in research and innovation. It is a community of 12,000 people with 272 research, experimental research, and support units located in 18 regional centres throughout France. Internationally, INRAE is among the top research organisations in the agricultural and food sciences, plant and animal sciences, as well as in ecology and environmental science. It is the world’s leading research organisation specialising in agriculture, food and the environment. INRAE’s goal is to be a key player in the transitions necessary to address major global challenges. Faced with a growing world population, climate change, resource scarcity, and declining biodiversity, the Institute has a major role to play in building solutions and supporting the necessary acceleration of agricultural, food and environmental transitions.

Work environment, missions and activities

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND ACTIVITIES

¡ You will be welcomed in the "Biopolymers, Interactions, Assemblies (BIA)" unit at the INRAE Pays de la Loire centre. Part of BIA’s research is aimed at improving the overall health of consumers through food. You will work in the Allergy team, which currently consists of 5 scientists (3 DRs and 2 CRs) and 2 technicians.

¡ You will use your skills in biology and immunochemistry to work on the ANR ARCANA project that investigates the allergenicity of hemp seed. Hemp seed, whether native or in processed form, is emerging as a new source of alternative food. The increased exposure of the population to different forms of hemp has already revealed allergies to pollen and hemp leaves, but also to hemp seeds. Until now, however, little attention has been paid to the allergenicity of hemp seed. Two aspects need to be considered when assessing the allergenic risk of hemp seed: i) the risk that hemp seed poses to a population already allergic (to other seeds and nuts, for example) on the basis of immunoglobulin E (IgE) cross-reactivity, and ii) the risk that hemp seed may cause new allergies specific to hemp seed, known as de novo sensitisation.

¡ This thesis consists of 3 work packages:

1. The aim of the first work package is to set up a clinical protocol and to contribute to the analysis of another clinical protocol (ARCHANGE) in collaboration with the Allergology Unit of Angers University Hospital, in order to establish the clinical phenotypes of patients sensitised or allergic to hemp seed.
2. The aim of the second work package is to identify the molecular determinants associated with hemp seed allergy. To do this, extracts and purified proteins will first be prepared from hemp seeds and characterised using biochemical and proteomic techniques (SDS-PAGE, mass spectrometry, etc.). The IgE reactivity of allergic patients will then be analysed against these fractions using immunochemical techniques (ELISAs, Western blot, etc.) and cellular models.
3. In this third work package, the de novo sensitisation capacity of hemp seeds will be assessed using an in vitro screening approach, which will be set up on the basis of a recently published cellular model. In parallel, an in vivo sensitisation approach using Balb/c mice will be implemented for validation purposes.

These three work packages will be completed with a participatory science and research approach aimed at identifying and implementing approaches to increase the impact of this project on society. This involves, for example, identifying stakeholders with an interest in the ARCANA project and inviting them to participate in part of the research process and/or in the dissemination of the results.

¡ Techniques used:

• Protein biochemistry: Protein extraction, SDS-PAGE, mass spectrometry, HPLC
• Immunochemical techniques: Western blot, ELISA, inhibition ELISA
• Cell culture: basophil and mast cell lines, human intestinal epithelial barrier cell lines, immune cell lines or primary cells
• Animal experimentation

Occasional weekend duty in the animal facility 

Training and skills

¡ Recommended training: Master 2 degree or engineering degree in Biology or Biochemistry

¡ Knowledge required: Knowledge and technical experience in biochemistry, immunochemistry, cell biology and immunology. Good skills in office automation tools (Word, Excel, Powerpoint or freeware versions) and bibliographic analysis is essential. A good knowledge of written and spoken English is also required. An affinity for Participatory Science and Research and knowledge of statistical analyses is a plus.

¡ Appreciated experience: internship in a laboratory

¡ Soft skills sought: analytic reasoning, synthetic capacity, organisational skills, team worker, no fear of handling laboratory animals.

INRAE's life quality

By joining our teams, you benefit from (depending on the type of contract and its duration):

- up to 30 days of annual leave + 15 days "Reduction of Working Time" (for a full time);
- parenting support: CESU childcare, leisure services;
- skills development systems: training, career advise;
- social support: advice and listening, social assistance and loans;
- holiday and leisure services: holiday vouchers, accommodation at preferential rates;
- sports and cultural activities;
- collective catering.

How to apply

I send my CV and my motivation letter