3 PhD Positions, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Germany (2017)

The broad theme of this research project is the Development of strategies to prevent and treat fatty liver disease. The PhD student will perform lab-based studies in mice (phenotypic characterization) that are treated with different compounds and diets. In particular, liver samples will be studied in more detail in respect to expression patterns, epigenetic alterations (DNA methylation) and lipid profiles. Our overall objective is to enhance our knowledge on physiological changes that occur during obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes and to translate this to humans.

Project 2 (reference nr. 2016_W11_R):

The broad theme of this research project is the Molecular characterization of a novel obesity gene. The PhD student will perform lab-based tissue culture experiments and studies in transgenic mice (phenotypic characterization). In both approaches the expression of the obesity gene will be manipulated and the differentiation capacity of adipocytes as well as the metabolism will be investigated in more detail. Our overall objective is to enhance our knowledge on physiological changes that occur in the different fat depots during obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes and to translate this to human.

Project 3 (reference nr. 2016_W12_R):

The broad theme of this research project is the Investigation of pathomechanisms resulting in beta-cell loss. The PhD student will perform lab-based tissue culture experiments with beta cells. In addition, Langerhans islets will be isolated from mice for further analysis such as expression profiling, immunostaining and confocal microscopy as well as detection of insulin secretion after manipulation of specific genes. Our overall objective is to enhance our knowledge on beta cell failure and the development of type 2 Diabetes.

The DIfE invites applicants from academic backgrounds in an appropriate discipline e.g. – biochemistry, biology, nutrition science, pharmacy from all countries.

Further details:
http://www.researchgate.net