Alicia Damm

Postdoctoral Research Scientist @ University of Düsseldorf

About

As a postdoctoral researcher in biophysics, I am a results-driven, resilient, and curious scientist passionate about tackling complex challenges. My research primarily focuses on the fascinating world of membrane proteins, exploring their behavior from single-molecule interactions to collective assembly, and from in vitro small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) to the physiological context of Lipid Droplets (LDs). Throughout my Ph.D., supervised by Patricia Bassereau and Maxime Dahan (who sadly passed away in 2018), I successfully applied single-molecule FRET (smFRET) to probe the conformation of an ABC transporter in response to membrane curvature (bioRxiv, https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.01.24.577054). In my postdoctoral research with Abdou Rachid Thiam, I investigate membrane proteins within Lipid Droplets (LDs), dynamic organelles involved in fat storage. I focus on understanding the mechanisms driving ER-to-LD protein translocation and how proteins are stably incorporated into the LD membrane. My work led to the development of an innovative ex-cellulo tool for quantifying protein partitioning between the ER membrane and LD surface, revealing that steric repulsion significantly influences protein occupancy on LDs (bioRxiv, https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.11.14.623598). I am now actively looking for new opportunities to expand my research and collaborate with experts in the field, particularly those focused on membrane biology, protein dynamics, and cellular biophysics. If you're interested in discussing opportunities for postdoctoral research in the Düsseldorf area or beyond, please feel free to reach out! I am available to start a new postdoctoral adventure as early as February 2025!

Country

Germany

City

Düsseldorf

Industry

Research

Skill

Molecular Biology, Cell Culture, Life Sciences, Cell Biology, Confocal Microscopy, Research, Laboratory Skills, Teaching, Project Management, Biochemistry, Microscopy, Scientific Writing, Microsoft Office, LaTeX, Matlab, Public Speaking, Presentation Skills, Teamwork, Team Building, Problem Solving

Experience

Postdoctoral Research Scientist

University of Düsseldorf

2025-3 - Present · 1 yr 7 mos

Düsseldorf, Rhénanie du Nord-Westphalie, Allemagne

Postdoctoral Researcher

Ecole normale supérieure

2021-11 - 2024-12 · 3 yrs 2 mos

Paris, Île-de-France, France

• Laboratory LPENS (UMR 8023) in the group of Rachid Thiam : Microfluidics, Emulsion and Biology • Postdoctoral projects: 1. Crowding and protein competition regulate the proteome of Lipid Droplets. 2. The biochemical properties of Lipid Droplets impact the LDs proteome • PhD students supervision • Multiple collaborative works (1 paper published, 1 in preparation) • Technical skills: cell culture (S1/S2 confinement), molecular biology, confocal microscopy • Member of the laboratory council: Representative of the Ph.D. students and postdocs

Postdoctoral Researcher

Institut Curie

2020-1 - 2021-5 · 1 yr 5 mos

Paris, Île-de-France, France

• Laboratory Physico-Chimie Curie (UMR 168), in the group of Patricia Bassereau • Continuation of PhD project, single molecule FRET set-up improvement, publication writing • PhD students and postdocs training for single molecule experiments

Researcher PHD Student

Institut Curie

2016-4 - 2019-12 · 3 yrs 9 mos

Paris, Ile-de-France, France

• Laboratory Physico-Chimie Curie (UMR 168), under the supervision of Maxime Dahan† and Patricia Bassereau. • Ph.D. in Biophysics project: Interplay between the conformational dynamics of a transmembrane protein (ABC transporter) and its surrounding membrane mechanical properties. • Technical skills: protein purification and manipulation, reconstitution of liposomes (small and giant unilamellar vesicles), surface treatment, single-molecule FRET. • Member of the laboratory council: Representative of the Ph.D. students in the laboratory UMR 168. • Member of the organizing committee of a conference - Young Physicists conference RJP Rencontres Jeunes Physicien.ne.s - November, 23rd 2018 (collège de France).

Teacher

Sorbonne Université

2016-9 - 2019-6 · 2 yrs 10 mos

Paris, Ile-de-France, France

• Practical course in Physics (mechanics) and oral interrogation, to Bachelor students (1st and 3rd year).

Teacher

Sup Bellevue Assomption Lyon

2014-9 - 2016-4 · 1 yr 8 mos

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France

• Oral interrogation and mentoring in physics and chemistry to students in preparatory class (1st and 2nd year of study).

Teacher

Lycée La Martinière Monplaisir

2014-9 - 2016-4 · 1 yr 8 mos

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France

• Oral interrogation and mentoring in physics and chemistry to students in preparatory class (1st and 2nd year of study).

Research Intern

University of Oxford

2015-4 - 2015-7 · 4 mos

Oxford, England, United Kingdom

• Physical and theoretical chemistry department, in the group of Roel Dullens. • Research project: Structure and dynamics in a quasi-two dimensional super-paramagnetic colloidal system. • Technical skills: image analysis, particle detection.

Research Intern

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1

2014-6 - 2014-7 · 2 mos

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France

• ILM-Institut Lumière Matière, in the group of Jean-Paul Rieu, supervised by Charlotte Rivière and Hélène Delanoë-Ayari. • Research project: Stress applied by a single cell or an aggregate on the extra-cellular environment. • Technical skills: fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, cell culture, soft lithography.