How does a cancer cell squeeze, adapt and survive? Exploring nuclear mechanics in melanoma

he Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire (C3M – Inserm U1065) is a multidisciplinary biomedical research institute located in Nice and affiliated with Inserm and Université Côte d’Azur.

C3M brings together researchers, clinicians, engineers and students working on major biomedical challenges, including cancer, metabolism, inflammation and immune responses.

The internship will be carried out within a research team investigating melanoma biology, tumour cell plasticity and mechanisms of adaptation to environmental and therapeutic constraints.

The student will benefit from a stimulating scientific environment combining molecular and cellular biology, advanced microscopy, quantitative imaging and translational cancer research, with access to state-of-the-art technological platforms and a strong collaborative network.

Melanoma is characterized by a remarkable capacity to change its cellular identity, adapt to environmental constraints and develop resistance to therapies.

Beyond genetic alterations, increasing evidence suggests that cellular architecture and physical forces may contribute to these adaptive behaviours.

The aim of this internship is to investigate how nuclear organization, nuclear morphology and cellular mechanics are associated with melanoma cell plasticity and adaptation.

The student will work in an interdisciplinary research environment combining cancer cell biology, molecular biology, fluorescence microscopy, quantitative imaging and mechanobiology.

The project will involve complementary experimental and quantitative approaches to characterize changes in nuclear architecture in different melanoma cellular states and environmental conditions.

This internship is particularly suited to a motivated student interested in cancer biology, cell plasticity, microscopy and the emerging field of mechanobiology.

The internship will be carried out at C3M – Inserm U1065 / Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, within a research environment dedicated to melanoma biology and cancer cell adaptation.

We are looking for a motivated Master student (M1 or M2) with a background in cell biology, molecular biology, cancer biology or related life sciences.

The candidate should have a strong interest in cancer cell plasticity, cellular architecture, microscopy and quantitative biology.

Previous experience in cell culture, fluorescence microscopy, molecular biology or image analysis would be appreciated but is not mandatory.

We are particularly looking for a student who is curious, rigorous, autonomous and willing to develop new experimental and quantitative skills.

An interest in interdisciplinary approaches at the interface between biology, imaging and biophysics will be an asset.