Ph.D. in Diabetes - Cellular Therapy - Islets of Langerhans - Transplants.
Term: full time
Project description:
Develop a curative treatment for type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependant) by transplanting immuno-protected islets of Langerhans by microencapsulation.
Upscaling the treatment so that it can be applied on humans on a medium-term basis.
The islets of Langerhans represent 2% of pancreatic mass and contain all the insulin-generating cells. Encapsulating the islets in microscopic capsules protects them against rejection and autoimmune diseases (type 1 diabetes), without having to use immunosuppressants. Transplanted islets release insulin at a rate that adjusts to the glycemia level on a minute-by-minute basis. Obtaining perfect control of glycemia should prevent devastating complications related to diabetes. We are currently able to regulate glycemia by a single injection of microencapsulated islets without immunosuppression in diabetic mouse and rat models.
Techniques used: cellular culture, microencapsulation, RIA, ELISA, RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry, studies of apoptosis, flow cytometry, perifusion, microsurgery, physiological studies, induced hyperglycemia, measuring portal pressure in animals when awake, viscosimetry, fluorimetry, diabetic and/or immuno-deficient animal models, current biochemistry techniques and several unique and well-known microcapsule evaluation techniques.
Qualifications: M.Sc. in Biochemistry, Immunology, Physiology, Biology or Biomedical Engineering.
Grant: the candidate will be paid according to the Centre’s salary range attributed to graduate students.
Posting date: April 1, 2008
If you are interested, please send your cover letter, resume and university transcript by e-mail to:
Dr Jean-Pierre Hallé, Research Investigator
Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre
5415 Assomption Boulevard, Montreal, QC H1T 2M4
E-mail: hallejp@videotron.ca