Rheology of biological systems

Description :

This interdisciplinary thesis project is concerned with the rheology of biological systems, focusing on the digestive system. The digestive system is unique in that it is able to process fluids with complex rheology, thanks to active and structured interfaces on a microscopic scale (the digestive mucosa). 

Transport and mixing phenomena in the digestive system control the release and absorption of nutrients, the release of drugs, as well as bacterial dynamics and their interaction with the immune system. These transport phenomena are controlled by the spatio-temporal organization of smooth muscle motility. However, the role of digestive mucosa micro-structures and its rheological environment on transport phenomena has never been investigated experimentally. The project aims to identify and understand these phenomena using an experimental approach at the interface of complex fluid mechanics and digestive physiology.

This PhD aims to develop an approach combining experimental methods in digestive physiology and the visualization of complex flows to understand the role of motility in transport and mixing phenomena at different scales. The results should provide a basis for developing models of digestion, microbiota dynamics and immunology. A stay of several months at the University of Amsterdam is envisaged.

Opened to :

The candidate must hold a Master 2 with skills in fluid mechanics, soft matter and chemical engineering.

Expected skills :

The skills expected are : 

- experience and knowledge in fluid mechanics, rheology and/or soft matter physics;

- ability to process data: use of Matlab / Python (or equivalent), notions of statistics and programming;

- a strong taste for experimental research: ability to set up an experimental device, ability to use a scientific instrument after training;

- a well-developed ability to summarize results and observations in order to draw conclusions;

- scientific curiosity: questioning observations and results obtained with a critical mind and in the light of scientific literature;

 - scientific communication skills (oral and written): ability to write a scientific article, give an international conference.

- an interest in cross-disciplinary research involving the use of engineering knowledge to understand physiological mechanisms is essential.