Research Supervisor Connect
Diabetes mellitus affects >10% of Australian adults. It is the leading cause of preventable blindness, end-stage renal failure and non-traumatic amputations, and decreases life-expectancy. Pancreatic β-cells are the only cells in the body which release insulin and the failure of β-cells is fundamental in the development of all diabetes. The aim of this project is to develop technologies for gene delivery to human islets, and to prevent and cure preclinical models of diabetes with gene therapy approaches.
Associate Professor Aaron Schindeler.
Westmead - Westmead Institute for Medical Research
This project involves several sub-aims: the generation of AAV vectors that target mouse and human islets; the improvement of β-cell survival by expression of survival factors; and rescue of a diabetic mouse model by genetic modulation of vitamin D signalling. This will use a variety of established technologies to track and measure the efficiency of genetic recombination as well as measure improvements to glucose levels and a diabetic phenotype.
We are seeking motivated students interested in developing their technical skills and wishing to make a difference in the lives of children with severe genetic disorders. This project is ideal as a PhD project, but a modified version of a Masters project could be a possibility. A strong candidate will be able to work as part of a multidisciplinary research team and have strong written/oral communication skills. The capacity to attract an independent scholarship (first class honours, prior publications) will be looked upon extremely favourably.
Co-supervisor Ross Laybutt ross.laybutt@wimr.org.au
For more information contact A/Prof Aaron Schindeler at aaron.schindeler@sydney.edu.au
The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 3416