PhD position: Immune-islet crosstalk in β-cell regeneration

We have shown that zebrafish have the outstanding ability to regenerate β-cells and reverse the course of diabetes.  The secrets of this regenerative ability remain to be elucidated.  Our central hypothesis is that the crosstalk between immune cell subtypes and the islet is critical for the regeneration of β cells and those differences in immune cell programs between fish and mammals confer differences in regenerative capacity.   To address these questions, we have developed new models for labeling and ablation of specific immune cell populations in zebrafish.  Furthermore, interspecies comparison of immune cells in zebrafish and human will enable to define unique pro-regenerative signals that foster regeneration.  The identified paracrine factors will be applied in vitro and in vivo systems to promote regeneration of β-cells in human islets.

The successful PhD candidate will join the International research training group (IRTG) 2251 “Immunological and Metabolic Strategies in Metabolic Disease” https://tu-dresden.de/med/mf/irtg2251 and will be eligible for a joint PhD degree from both TU Dresden and Kings College London and a research experience in London.  The preferred start is 04.01.2023.

Please note that the application process is handled via the Dresden International Graduate School for Biomedicine and Bioengineering (DIGS-BB).

To submit your application: https://www.digs-bb.de/research/research-groups/nikolay-ninov