Institute: MALOPOLSKA CENTRE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
Research topic: Badania z wykorzystaniem kinaz w leczeniu cukrzycy.
Supervisor:
dr Anna Czarna
Project description:
In recent decades, significant changes have been observed in lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, and exposure to microorganisms, which contribute to the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity worldwide. This, in turn, leads to numerous complications and serious conditions associated with metabolic disorders, such as diabetes. Diabetes is currently treated as a chronic disease requiring lifelong maintenance treatment. Natural and long-lasting regeneration of beta cell mass resulting in actual diabetes cure is an important milestone that we all anticipate.
Our research primarily focuses on developing specific inhibitors that will improve the durability of beta cell function. In our experiments, we utilize modern in vitro cell models, such as isolated human pancreatic islets, as well as laboratory mice models, to understand the mechanisms of regeneration of pancreatic endocrine cell fractions.
The doctoral candidate will participate in research activities as part of the project: "Smart tissue engineering to change the paradigm of diabetes treatment." The research will be conducted at the Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University. The doctoral candidate will collaborate with the team involved in the project's implementation.
Scope of work:
- Primary Focus for PhD Candidate: Cellular Kinase Interaction Analysis
- Core Emphasis: Biochemical examination of kinase interactions within cells.
- Protein Characterization: Employ structural biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology to characterize proteins. Cryo-EM for understanding large complexes and downstream regulation. Serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX)- for mechanistic insight- the most challenging task of the project.
- Functional Profiling: Conduct in vitro activity assays and cell-based inhibitory screening.
- Specialized Cell Lines: Utilize tailored cell lines for detailed analysis.
- Objective: Enhance understanding of cellular kinase dynamics and potential inhibition mechanisms and drug optimization using the structural information and function.
Required professional qualifications:
- The PhD student must hold Master's degree in Life Sciences discipline.
- The selected candidate should have practical laboratory experience, supported by references of the academic tutor and qualifications and suitability for research.
- The PhD Students should have very good knowledge of English (written and spoken),
- ready to learn the structure related programms and calculations,
- attending courses and be creative with good and responsible attitude,
- multitasking approach, and good organizational capacity.
Limit of places: 1
Next recruitment in September!
Salary? Doctoral scholarship + grant scholarship
How to apply?
To make the application process fast and easy, please follow the rules:
1. Be familiar with the admission rules 2023/24 [PL version, EN version]
2. Prepare the required documents
3. Follow the recruitment schedule
4. Send your application early enough to the Online Application System
More information:
Higher education certificates obtained abroad should:
- bear an Apostille when the country issuing the document is covered by the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, done at The Hague on 5 October 1961 (Journal of Laws of 2005, No. 112, item 938), or
- by subject to legalisation, in other cases.
Accommodation:
IMPORTANT:
- Citizens of Poland, European Union [EU], European Free Trade Association [EFTA] and holders of the Pole's Card, up to the age of 26 should be insured as members of their families, if these have insurance in the EU/EFTA. The insurance is confirmed by a valid EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) card issued in the country of insurance application. Once they have reached the age of 26, they will apply for health insurance coverage at the Jagiellonian University.
- Other doctoral students (from outside the EU, EFTA) have to pay for their own voluntary health insurance at the Social Security Health institution [ZUS] (on the basis of a contract concluded with the Polish National Health Fund [NFZ] facility) or take out a commercial insurance with a guarantee amount of no less than EUR 30000. They may have both of these insurances. It is insufficient to have only medical packages (subscriptions) in private facilities, as these do not cover the costs of possible hospitalisation. We recommend that each candidate, in particular a foreign candidate, takes out insurance for the duration of the journey and a minimum of the first month of stay in Poland (until the formalities have been completed upon arrival).
More information about insurance is available under the link.