Risques de persistance séminale et de transmission congénitale des arbovirus: modélisation orga[...]

14/04/2026 Contrat doctoral

IRSET-INSERM U1085

• Biologie

Climate change is promoting the emergence in Europe of arboviruses with severe tissue tropisms, such as Zika virus (ZIKV) and West Nile virus (WNV). Beyond vector-borne transmission, interhuman transmission—via substances of human origin (SoHO) and the materno-fetal route—represents a major public health challenge, notably threatening the safety of medically assisted reproduction (MAR). ZIKV persists for several months in the human testis, an immunological sanctuary, thereby prolonging the risks of sexual and congenital transmission. In the absence of available treatments, this project aims to overcome major technological and biological bottlenecks through an interdisciplinary synergy between IRSET and ISCR.

Hypotheses and objectives

The key challenge is to anticipate tissue persistence and fetal risk using predictive tools that faithfully recapitulate human physiology. The PhD candidate will develop a human testis-on-a-chip (microfluidic) model to overcome the current nine-day limitation of existing models and to investigate chronic viral replication. In parallel, the tropism of ZIKV and WNV will be explored in the fetal kidney ex vivo. This project will also evaluate the efficacy of original ferrocene derivatives, specifically designed to cross biological barriers (blood–testis and placental barriers), within these complex viral reservoirs.

PhD project milestones

• Bioengineering: Optimization of the organ-on-a-chip system and monitoring of viral replication kinetics (RT-qPCR, TCID₅₀, RNAscope) and tissue homeostasis (testosterone).
• Pathophysiology: Analysis of fetal kidney infection and its impact on nephrogenesis (cell death, proliferation).
• Therapeutics: Evaluation of the therapeutic index of ferrocene-based compounds (efficacy versus safety) in primary human tissues.

By combining bioengineering and medicinal chemistry, this project provides an innovative strategy to neutralize viral reservoirs, secure reproductive practices, and sustainably protect public health.

Candidates shortlisted by the research team and the SVS doctoral school will be interviewed and selected by the EHESP doctoral network.

Link to the project page:

Applicants must demonstrate a consistent academic record and possess skills in cell culture, molecular biology, virology, and mastery of techniques such as working in a L2/L3 safety laboratory, cell and organ culture, virus production, RT-qPCR, and in situ detection techniques (IHC, RNAscope, immunofluorescence). Strong motivation, rigor, analytical and thinking skills, and team spirit are required.