Project Description: Pancreatic islet transplantation is an emerging cure for Type 1 Diabetes but success is limited by death of insulin producing beta cells post-transplantation. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have the potential to improve islet engraftment and function as they increase the blood supply to provide the much needed oxygen and nutrients. As recently published by us, a better understanding of how the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas interact with the local blood vasculature will significantly advance the cure for diabetes (Rojas-Canales et al, Diabetes 2017, Penko et al, Cell Transplantation 2015; Peiris et al, Diabetes 2014).
Techniques: Cutting edge technology will be used alongside cell culture, surface antigen expression by flow cytometry, protein detection by Western blot, gene expression by real time PCR, small animal models of diabetes, immunohistochemistry of human tissue samples, functionalised biomaterials and high end microscopy (including confocal and multiphoton).
Pre-requisite skills: There are no specific requirements, but the applicant would benefit from some experience in cell culture techniques and molecular biology.
Supervisor: Professor Claudine Bonder
Supervisor contact email: claudine.bonder@unisa.edu.au
