Research Assistant: Mesenchymal Stem Cell Extracellular Vesicles for β Cell Protection in Type 1 Diabetes

Term: Semester
Type: Research
Major discipline: Biology, Biomedicine / Biotechnology, Chemistry / Biochemistry
Related discipline: Pre-Medicine / Health Science
Available: Fall, Spring
Location: Copenhagen
Credits: 6

Introduction to the topic:

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the destruction of β cells, the cells responsible for insulin production. When there is no or limited insulin, it is difficult for the body to keep a normal blood glucose level. Therefore, for blood glucose regulation, patients need to inject insulin routinely.

However, studies have shown that patients still have residual β cell mass and activity years after diagnosis. Therefore it is vital to protect, maintain, or regenerate these ß cell masses and determine if the patient’s need for insulin injection can be reduced, potentially paving the way for the development of therapeutic approaches for maintaining, recovering, or regenerating β cell mass.

One promising approach involves the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their secretome, the set of molecules and biological factors that are secreted by a cell into the extracellular space. Secretome mainly mediate the therapeutic effect of MSCs. MSC’s secretome showed promising results in treating several disorders and we like to use them for T1D..

Project details:

In the current project, we evaluate the protective and regenerative molecular mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cells and their secretome in in vitro models. Candidates with a strong interest in lab work who are motivated to develop new skills will be learning/working on different stem cell sources, isolate secretome, and test their protective effect on β cell models at molecular levels.

Selected relevant publications:

Soltani, S., Mansouri, K., Emami, S., Moasefi, N., Yavari, N., Shakouri, K., Notararigo, S., Shojaeian A., Pociot F., Reza Y (2022). Extracellular Vesicle Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes. Frontiers in Immunology (13).https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.865782
Soltani, S., Mansouri, K., Parvaneh, S., Thakor A., Pociot F., Reza Y (2022). Diabetes complications and extracellular vesicle therapy. Rev Endocr Metab Disord (23), 357–385. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-021-09680-y
Chidester, S., Livinski, Alicia A., Fish, Anne F., Joseph, Paule V (2020). The Role of Extracellular Vesicles in β-Cell Function and Viability: A Scoping Review. Frontiers in Immunology (13). https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2020.00375

Prerequisites

One year of biology and one year of chemistry at the university level.

Additional application required

You must submit an additional application through the Online Registration portal.

All application materials must be submitted on the following dates by midnight in your time zone:

November 1 for spring semester applicants
May 1 for fall semester applicants

Complete your application through Student Registration.

Faculty

Reza Yarani

Faculty

Ph.D (Cellular and Genetic Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Copenhagen, 2016). Assistant Professor, Translational Type 1 Diabetes Research, Department of Clinical Research, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, 2021-Present. With DIS since 2023.

Research Assistantship FAQ

Learn more about research at DIS.

: Earning authorship within the course of a semester is challenging. Exceptional Research Assistants may be considered for co-authorship, subject to evaluation from the supervising Research Mentor.

Though you may not ultimately become an author on a published paper, you will gain many practical skills and insights into the publication process.

: Many research projects last across several semesters, so not all RAs on the same project will conduct the same research.

: On average, students in 3-credit Research Assistantships spend at least 10 hours a week on research tasks. These 10 hours per week consist of a variety of different research-related tasks, including conducting a literature review, data collection, analyses, coding, documentation, and meetings with your mentor. You may decide on a particular block of time (consistent each week) for you to carry out the work, or adjust it on a week-by-week basis.

Students in a 6-credit Research Assistantships spend an average of 20 hours per week with lab and clinically based research tasks. You decide the exact meeting and lab times with your supervisor, but your schedule consists of classes at DIS two days a week, with two days a week in the lab.

There may be peak times in the research process where all Research Assistant students are expected to spend a few more hours, and then possibly fewer hours another week – to reflect the individual research project and process.

: Work for the 3-credit Research Assistantships may take place outside DIS, on your own time at a location of your choosing, or at DIS – this varies from project to project. The 6-credit research assistantships generally take place at labs in Copenhagen or Stockholm outside DIS.

: Students with a variety of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply for the 3-credit Research Assistant course. While some courses do have prerequisites, many opportunities do not require prior research experience.

The 6-credit Research Assistant opportunity is designed for highly motivated students who have a strong science background within the field of interest and some basic research experience. The student must be willing to commit a large portion of their semester to an engaging opportunity involving hands-on research in universities and medical institutes in Copenhagen or Stockholm.

Introduction to the topic:

Project details:

Prerequisites

Additional application required

Faculty

Reza Yarani

Research Assistantship FAQ

Will I publish a research paper?

What exactly will I do?

What is the time commitment for a 3-credit or 6-credit Research Assistantship?

Where is the research work carried out?

What type of student applies for the 3- and 6-credit Research Assistant courses?