M2 internship: Optical sequencing of digital polymers for molecular data storage
Organization: Institut Fresnel
Position Information:
Summary:
Molecular data storage relies on the ability to write and read digital information encoded onto large molecules. Recently, digital synthetic polymers have been introduced offering interesting perspectives for data storage due to a larger versatility and variety. However, sequencing of macromolecules, i.e. reading the digital information they contain, is a major challenge for molecular data storage. Nowadays, the main characterization techniques are based on mass spectrometry or electrical current detection. Despite their high sensitivity, these methods remain restricted to specific polymers and low level of parallelization.
Our transdisciplinary consortium of 3 laboratories (Ingénierie des Matériaux Polymères, Lyon; Laboratoire de Physique de l’ENS de Lyon ; Institut Fresnel, Marseille) aims to explore a novel approach involving the development of fluorescently encoded synthetic polymers and also DNA origamis, combined with an optical sequencing technique that enables faster reading of their controlled sequence. Our main goal is to set up an innovative platform based on the real-time optical sequencing of digital synthetic and natural polymers (Figure 1). Departing from current mass spectrometry and electrical approaches, this project aims at exploring the possibilities offered by an optical readout, taking advantage of fluorescent-coded molecules and single photon counting detectors.
Adapted polymer chains will be synthesized by the IMP partner in Lyon, using fluorescent dyes that offer a high degree of freedom to encode several bits of information in intensity, color/spectrum and/or lifetime. DNA origamis will be synthetized in LPENSL. LPENSL and IF will develop an innovative platform for sequencing fluorescently-encoded synthetic polymers at the single molecule level. While optical detection is generally performed on diffraction-limited microscopes, recent advances in nanophotonics open new means to overcome the diffraction limit and concentrate light at a spatial scale well below the optical wavelength. However, such integration remains a burgeoning field, mostly driven by DNA sequencing applications for biosensing and diagnosis. The applications for molecular information storage remain largely unexplored. Our vision is to build a high throughout device with high sensitivity for real-time detection of the information encoded into synthetic polymers for information storage.
General information
- PEPR project website: https://pepr-molecularxiv.fr/
- Salary: grants will be allocated for internships > 8 weeks according to current regulation
- Begin/End dates: to be discussed
- Send your CV and cover letter to jerome.wenger@fresnel.fr
- Miscellaneous: can be continued by a PhD thesis
Why should you apply?
- Close supervision by an internationally recognized expert.
- Access to state-of-the-art equipment and technology, allowing to perform cutting-edge research and stay at the forefront of the field.
- The opportunity to work on groundbreaking research projects that have the potential to make a significant impact in the field of molecular data storage.
- Personal and professional development training, including leadership and communication skills to prepare for a successful career in academia or industry.
- The opportunity to develop a diverse set of transferable skills and gain valuable experience that will be highly sought after by employers in academia and industry.