진학프로석·박사 채용 접수 플랫폼

Project overview

Biological catalysis achieves remarkable chemical transformations using only a small set of coenzymes. Among them, flavins (FMN and FAD) stand out as uniquely versatile molecular platforms, capable of driving redox reactions, stabilizing radical intermediates, activating molecular oxygen and, as recently discovered, mediating covalent carbon transfer [1-4]. These emerging findings challenge the long-standing view of flavins as simple redox cofactors and instead point to a far richer and largely unexplored chemical potential.

Specifically, this project aims to synthesize bio-inspired flavin derivatives that mimic key intermediates of flavoenzymes, study their reactivity, and use them to modify a wide range of substrates.

To address this, we will break free from biological constraints and directly probe flavin chemistry using a powerful combination of approaches:

• • the design of biomimetic flavin models (lumiflavin-based systems),
• • detailed mechanistic studies in solution,
• • and state-of-the-art gas-phase investigations using cryogenic MS–IR spectroscopy [5-6] and several MS-based approaches [7-8]. 

By bridging chemical biology and physical chemistry, this work will redefine flavins as programmable carbon-transfer agents and open new directions in bio-inspired catalysis.

References: 

1. 1. Piano, V., Palfey, B.A., Mattevi, A., Trends Biochem. Sci., 201742 457.
2. 2. Mishanina, T.V., Yu, L., Karunaratne, K., Mondal, D., Corcoran, J.M., Choi, M.A., Kohen, A., Science, 2016351 507.
3. 3. Bou-Nader, C., Cornu, D., Guerineau, V., Fogeron, T., Fontecave, M., Hamdane, D., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl., 2017 56 12523.
4. 4. Bou-Nader, C., Stull, F.W., Pecqueur, L., Simon, P., Guerineau, V., Royant, A., Fontecave, M., Lombard, M., Palfey, B.A., Hamdane, D. Nat. Commun., 202112, 4542.
5. 5. Fritsche, L.; Bach, A.; Miloglyadova, L.; Tsybizova, A.; Chen, P. , Rev. Sci. Instrum., 2018 89 063119.
6. 6. Tsybizova, A.; Fritsche, L.; Miloglyadova, L.; Kräutler, B.; Chen, P., J. Am. Chem. Soc.2023145 19561.
7. 7. Tsybizova, A.; Brenig, C.; Kieninger, C.; Kräutler, B.; Chen, P., Chemistry2021 27 7 252.
8. 8. Bourehil, L.; Soep, C.; Seng, S.; Dutrannoy, S.; Igoudjil, S.; Forté, J.; Gontard, G.; Lesage, D.; Bertrand, B.; Dossmann, H., Inorg. Chem.202362 13304.

Contribution to the project

We are seeking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher who will contribute to:

• • Designing and synthesizing N5-functionalized lumiflavin derivatives (N5-CH2X series)
• • Exploring carbon-transfer reactivity toward a broad range of nucleophiles (N, O, C-centered)
• • Investigating reaction mechanisms (alkyl transfer, radical pathways, redox-coupled processes)
• • Performing gas-phase experiments (MS/IR and MS/MS CID) to probe intrinsic energetics, structures and fragmentation pathways
• • Integrating experimental data with DFT calculations to build a unified mechanistic framework

Host laboratories and research environment

The postdoctoral position brings together two complementary research teams at Sorbonne Université. Sorbonne Université is an internationally recognized research university in Paris, combining excellence in science, engineering, medicine, and the humanities. Its main science campus is centrally located, easily accessible, and situated on the banks of the Seine, in the heart of the city.

Team 1 – Flavin chemistry, enzymology, spectroscopy, and mechanistic analysis

• • Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Laboratoire Development, Adaptation and Ageing (Dev2A)
• • Contact: Dr. Nadia Dozova ([email protected])  

Team 2 – Gas-phase ion chemistry, mass spectrometry, and DFT calculations

• • Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire, CSOB group
• • Contact: Pr. Héloïse Dossmann ([email protected])

The successful candidate will have full access to both teams and state-of-the-art instruments, including a cryogenic MS–IR platform and dedicated mass spectrometers for gas-phase reactivity studies, within a highly interdisciplinary research environment.

Required Qualifications

• • PhD in Physical Organic Chemistry or related field (Biophysical chemistry...)
• • Experience with bioorganic synthesis and mechanistic studies
• • Familiar with spectroscopic techniques (UV–Vis, NMR, MS) and anaerobic/glovebox biochemistry methods
• • Ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment 

Additional assets:

Background in flavin chemistry (and biochemistry); gas-phase chemistry; familiarity with DFT calculations.

Application Procedure

Please send a CV, motivation letter and contact detail of 2 referees to 

[email protected] and [email protected]