The unit for Diabetes and Celiac disease is part of the Lund University Diabetes Center (LUDC) in Malmö/Lund, Sweden. Within this unit basic research is performed with regards to cellular mechanism of the insulin producing beta cells.
The successful candidate will participate in a project partly supported by the Swedish Research Council to investigate basic cellular processes in relation to the development of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
In diabetes mellitus, the pathways involved in autophagy may play an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and integrity in the pancreatic beta cell, by providing fuel for cellular processes upon increased metabolic demand, as well as, serving an important function in increasing beta cell survival when cells are exposed to various cellular stressors involved in beta cell dysfunction and destruction as observed in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Autophagic vacuoles has been shown to be present in human islets from type 2 diabetic patients, associated with cell damage, suggesting that altered autophagy may contribute to loss of beta cell mass. In addition, the in vitro effects of high concentrations of palmitate on INS-1 cells, mouse and human islets appears to activate autophagy. In view of this information, we propose to investigate the role of autophagy in normal beta cell function and in pathological states, such as type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Requirements:
• Excellent degree (diploma or Master) in Biology or natural sciences in general.
• Strong PhD degree from a research lab with diabetes focus, with very good publication record.
• Extensive cell culture experience
• Strong molecular biology background
• Knowledge of confocal microscopy and histology is desirable