Department of Psychiatry – Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology

Department/Institute:
Department of Medicine IV, Diabetes Center, LMU Hospital
Subject area:
Xenotransplantation to cure type 1 diabetes
Name of supervisor:
Prof. Dr. med. J. Seißler, Dr. med. vet. L. Wolf-van Buerck
Number of open position:
1
Project title:
Analysis of in vitro and in vivo functionality of novel multi-modified porcine islet cells for xenotransplantation
Project time plan:
Doctoral Thesis (MD) 36 months
Language requirements:
English
Academic requirements:
Master of Medicine

Project description:

Year 0-0.5: Learning of methods: isolation of wildtype/genetically modified (hCD47-tg, hPD-L1-tg, HLA-G, SLA-I knock-down) porcine islet cells, single cell preparation and organoid generation, qRT-PCR, FACS, immunohistology.

Years 0.5-2.0: In vitro studies of function of multi-modified porcine islet cells. Analysis of T cell, NK cell and macrophage reactivity against porcine islets and islet organoids.

Years 1.0-2.5: Generation of optimized cell products for transplantation studies. Analysis of islet maturation after transplantation in immunocompromised NSG mice. Analysis of beta cell maturation and function (insulin content, glucose-tolerance test, percentage of alpha, beta, delta cells by immunohistology). Islet transplantation in diabetic mice will be performed by group members with extensive experience; the applicant can learn the methods by assistance during surgery.

Years 2.0-3.0: writing of publications and thesis

To applicants: Please send following initial application documents to LMU-CSC Office before 15th December:

  • Resume and Research Motivation Letter
  • Certificate of Proficiency in English, equivalent to IELTS Test Academic 6.5 (no module below 6) or TOEFL IBT 95, is required
  • Two letters of recommendation directly sent from your current Supervisors/Professors to LMU-CSC Office

Contact LMU-CSC Office: csc.international@lmu.de