Internship opportunity – Development of site-specific coupling technology via glycoengineering

Are you looking for an internship for the 2025 or 2026 academic year? That’s perfect – our laboratory is currently recruiting its next interns!

Here is one of the topics we can offer you:

Development of site-specific coupling technology via glyco-engineering

Background

Post-translational modifications, such as glycosylation, play a key role in the biological properties of proteins, particularly antibodies. In this context, CER Groupe is developing a proprietary, patented technology for site-specific coupling via the bisecting glycan branch of IgG.

This innovative approach utilises the human enzyme N-acetylglucosaminyl-transferase III (GnT-III) to introduce an azido-GlcNAc residue onto the constant region of antibodies, serving as an anchor point for reactions with a drug, a fluorophore or a targeting ligand.

Unlike conventional approaches based on lysines or cysteines, this method ensures homogeneity, structural compatibility and the absence of genetic modification, whilst retaining the ability to adjust pharmacokinetic and immunological properties through glyco-remodelling.

Aims of the internship

To produce and validate glyco-modified antibodies using GnT-III.

To carry out model ‘click’ couplings with fluorophores or drugs.

To evaluate the biological activity of the resulting conjugates: cytotoxicity and Fc-dependent effector functions.

Techniques used

Recombinant protein production, purification by affinity chromatography, micro-scale chemo-enzymatic bioconjugation reactions (desalting, dialysis, colorimetric assays, UV-Vis spectrophotometry), purity analyses (SDS-PAGE) and functional characterisation (affinity, internalisation and cytotoxicity).

Scientific and technical contributions

The intern will participate in the implementation of a glyco-engineering platform applied to bioconjugates, at the interface of enzymology, bio-orthogonal chemistry and structural analysis. This work forms part of the development of a strategic Proof-of-Concept positioning the CER Group as a leading player in next-generation antibody and vector conjugation technologies.

Application

Are you interested in this internship opportunity?

Please send your CV and cover letter to Héloïse WILMET, HR Business Partner

By email: recrutement@cergroupe.be