Developing An Inflammation On a Chip Device with Integrated Electrodes

**Developing an inflammation on a chip device with integrated electrodes**:

- Réf **ABG-135171**
- Sujet de Thèse
- 19/01/2026
- Financement public/privé
- Ecole des Mines de Saint-Étienne
- Lieu de travail- Gardanne - Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur - France
- Intitulé du sujet- Developing an inflammation on a chip device with integrated electrodes
- Champs scientifiques- Biotechnologie
- Electronique
- Sciences de l’ingénieur
- Mots clés- OoC, microfabrication, inflammation, biophysical cues, progenitor cells

**Description du sujet**:
In particular, the endogenous bioelectric signalling that is orchestrated by ion channels and ion pumps, referred to as the bioelectric code, has gained growing interest. Externally applied electric fields (EFs) can alter this code, influencing cell membrane potential, directing cell migration, and modulating cell function (e.g., stem cell differentiation, change in cytokine secretion in T-cells).2-5 Yet, there remains a critical knowledge gap on how EFs influence monocyte commitment towards pro-/anti-inflammatory macrophages. This lack of understanding slows down the point of translation to reach immune response regulation and tissue repair in clinical settings driven by electrical cues.

PhD Project: the proposed PhD project will develop an “inflammation on a chip” device, designed to host, monitor and electrically guide monocytes to macrophage differentiation. This device will take advantage of a multidisciplinary approach, by integrating microelectrodes to deliver precise electrical stimulation protocols to drive monocytes to differentiate into macrophages, and a real time monitoring of inflammatory biomarkers to evaluate their commitment towards either pro
- or anti-inflammatory cells within a microfluidic system integration.

This innovative model will provide first insights into bioelectric regulation of inflammatory cells, opening new therapeutic avenues for tissue engineering, regenerative medicine and inflammation disorders. This inflammation on a chip device is expected to become an essential model for studying immune cells in controlled microenvironments, opening the way to investigate patient specific responses, ultimately contributing to personalised medicine.

The main tasks of the PhD student will be:
microfabrication and characterization of the chip in a cleanroom environment

In vitro cell culture of inflammatory cells

development of an on-chip imaging technique

Collaborations. This project is in collaboration between two different laboratories of Mines Saint-Etienne (Bioelectronics department, Gardanne (13) and Biomaterials department, Saint Priest en Jarez (42)). Additionally, a period abroad is envisioned for the PhD student to acquire knowledge on the design, manufacturing and modelling of microfluidic chips.

Expertise in electrical engineering will be a plus.

She/he will need to communicate well in English (orally and in writing).

Basic knowledge of French (or willingness to learn) is a plus.

**Nature du financement**:

- Financement public/privé

**Précisions sur le financement**:
**Présentation établissement et labo d'accueil**:

- Ecole des Mines de Saint-Étienne

The _Ecole des Mines de Saint-Étienne_ is part of the INSTITUT MINES-TELECOM (IMT) and is the French oldest elite engineering school outside Paris. IMT mission is to support the economy by educating highly qualified managers with strong technical and scientific skills, developing applied research to meet the needs of industry, and contributing to companies’ innovation and competitiveness.

**Site web**:
Expertise in electrical engineering will be a plus.

She/he will need to communicate well in English (orally and in writing).

Basic knowledge of French (or willingness to learn) is a plus.- 15/02/2026