Scholarship: Fully-funded
Degree: Ph.D
Nationality: International Students
Location: USA
Application deadlines: Open
Scholarship Description:
The Lei-Markmann Laboratory Group at the Center for Transplant Science and Innovation, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, focuses on:
- Regulatory B cell-mediated transplant tolerance.
- Pig-to-human liver xenotransplantation to address donor liver shortages.
Using advanced technologies, the lab processes human cells and tissues, including primary islets, stem cell-derived islets, hepatocytes, and lymphocytes, to develop treatments for Type 1 diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, and end-stage liver disease.
The team also conducts immunotolerance research with nonhuman primate models to advance preclinical studies on allogeneic islet and stem cell-derived beta cell transplantation for Type 1 diabetes.
The lab is hiring Molecular Biologists for stem cell research projects aimed at advancing cell therapies for Type 1 diabetes. Candidates should have a strong interest in developmental and pancreatic islet biology, along with expertise in molecular biology.
The ideal candidate is scientifically independent, proactive, and possesses strong communication, organizational, and multitasking skills.
Available Subjects:
- Molecular and Cell Biology
Eligibility criteria:
- Implement SOPs, perform cell culture, and design exploratory research to generate stem cell-derived islets (SC-islets) and advance islet cell biology.
- Utilize in vivo transplantation models in small and large animals, including nonhuman primates, and cell-based assays to assess stem cell characteristics and SC-islet function.
- Apply techniques such as gene engineering, gene expression analysis, single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and bioinformatics to investigate stem cell fate and differentiated SC-islets, enhancing beta cell replacement.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to plan, coordinate, and execute experiments, and present findings internally and externally.
- Required experience includes molecular biology and immunology techniques, particularly gene engineering, single-cell RNA sequencing, and cell lineage tracing. Proficiency in cell-based assays like gene expression analysis (e.g., qPCR, Nanostring) and flow cytometry is essential.
- Familiarity with computational biology is advantageous. Experience in differentiating pluripotent stem cells (hESC and/or hiPSC) into functional islets is desirable. A proven track record of publications is required.
Application Procedure:
Ji Lei, MD, MBA. Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
