December 2020
NEWSLETTER
NEW CBDS GRANTS
The following were awarded grants to join CBDS per RFA-19-024: Discovery of Early Type 1 Diabetes Processes in the Pancreas. Please join us in welcoming them into the HIRN.
 
-------(Contact PI: Peter Arvan, Univ. Michigan)

-------(Contact PI: Lori Sussel, Univ. Colorado Denver)

-------(Contact PI: Shuibing Chen, Weill Cornell Medical College)

-------(Contact PI: Golnaz Vahedi, Univ. Pennsylvania)

-------(Contact PI: Raghu Mirmira, Univ. Chicago)

NEED INSULIN ANTIBODIES?
Need Insulin Antibodies?
 
Are you having a hard time finding insulin antibodies that work? Drs. Christopher Wright and Daniella Dean from Vanderbilt University share their data, including dilutions used, on a series of insulin antibodies that have been tested in mouse and human tissues. To access their data, or share your own, visit the HIRN Resource Browser through this link. Once there, select an antibody, then click on “Applications” to view or download the data.

SUMMER STUDENT INTERNSHIP
dkNET Summer of Data Student Internship Program

 The 2021 dkNET Summer of Data Student Internship program provides students an opportunity to utilize the dkNET tools and resources in a research project and to provide feedback on their experience to the dkNET team. Don't miss this great opportunity to learn best practices to enhance rigor and reproducibility and learn the basics of good data management by following the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles! The program is a 6-week online program, and selected students will receive $1,000 awards. Research projects should be in the areas of the NIDDK including diabetes, obesity, nutrition, digestive, kidney, liver, urologic, endocrine, metabolic, bone, and blood diseases. Preference will be given to those projects that would most benefit from the types of services offered by dkNET, e.g., projects that involve antibodies, genetically modified organisms, and ‘omics’ data. The program is designed for both bench and bioinformatics scientists. No programming skills are required. For more information please click HERE.

UPCOMING MEETINGS AND WEBINARS

nPOD Annual Meeting

The 13th Annual Network for Pancreatic Organ Donors with Diabetes (nPOD) Scientific Meeting will be held virtually from February 22 – 24, 2021. All are welcome to participate but advance registration is required. A virtual poster session will be held and poster abstracts are due on January 15th. Learn more about the meeting HERE.
Diabetes Research Centers Virtual Seminar Series
To address the disruption in seminars & scientific interactions at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, nine NIDDK-sponsored Diabetes Research Centers (DRCs) and three Centers for Diabetes Translational Research (CDTRs) established a weekly Virtual Seminar series. The series has been well-received and will continue. Anyone can register for the seminars, which are free and open to the public (registration required). 

Dr. Felicia Hill-Briggs, Professor of Medicine, John Hopkins University, will be presenting on January 13, 2021 at 2 pm Eastern (topic TBA).
dkNET Webinar
The dkNET (NIDDK Information Network) is inviting you to join them for a webinar "FAIR Data & Software in the Research Life Cycle" on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, 11 am - 12 pm PST! Good data stewardship is the cornerstone of knowledge, discovery, and innovation in research. The FAIR Data Principles address data creators, stewards, software engineers, publishers, and others to promote maximum use of research data. The principles can be used as a framework for fostering and extending research data services. This talk will provide an overview of the FAIR principles and the drivers behind their development by a broad community of international stakeholders. We will explore a range of topics related to putting FAIR data into practice, including how and where data can be described, stored, and made discoverable (e.g., data repositories, metadata); methods for identifying and citing data; interoperability of (meta)data; best-practice examples; and tips for enabling data reuse (e.g., data licensing). Practical examples of how FAIR is applied will be provided along the way. Presenter: Christopher Erdmann. Register HERE.

IIDP ISLET AWARD INITIATIVE

The Integrated Islet Distribution Program (IIDP) is now accepting applications for the next Islet Award Initiative (IAI) (due February 15, 2021). This initiative, generously supported by JDRF, will provide investigators new to the human islet field with up to 100,000 IEQs without the need for a subscription fee. We are excited to announce that we expect to be able to fund 2-3 awards this cycle. Interested investigators should visit the IIDP website for more details about the program, application instructions, and eligibility criteria HERE or if you have any questions, contact IIDP directly.  
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

dkNET New Investigator Pilot Program in Bioinformatics The dkNET New Investigator Pilot Program is designed to: (i) facilitate the ability of Early Stage and New Investigators with computational and bioinformatics expertise to pursue research questions in DEMD, or (ii) allow Early Stage and New PIs currently pursuing DEMD-related research to explore incorporating computational, mathematical, statistical, and/or bioinformatics approaches into their research projects.
  • Award Budget: Awards are limited to $ 150,000 Direct Costs over the lifetime of the award (up to 2 years), plus applicable F&A costs to be determined at the time of award.
  • Letter of Intent Due Date: January 26, 2021
  • Application Due Date: February 26, 2021

PAR-20-140: Catalytic Tool and Technology Development in Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
  • Application due date:  Standard dates apply
  • Foreign applications are allowed

F31 PAR-19-378: Bioinformatics Interdisciplinary Predoctoral Fellowship in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases 
  • Application due date:  Standard dates apply 
  • Foreign applications allowed

F32 PAR-19-379: Bioinformatics Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Fellowship in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases 
  • Application due date:  Standard dates apply 
  • Foreign applications allowed
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Visit HIRN Website to view full posting details
Research Scientist
The University of Chicago beta cell/diabetes research group under the direction of Dr. Raghu Mirmira has funded openings for several postdoctoral research scientists with interest in applying/learning cell biological techniques (immunoprecipitation, immunohistochemistry, confocal imaging), mouse genetic skills, human islet biology, and immunology and inflammation research. NIH-funded research projects in the Mirmira laboratory include the study of beta cell development and function, human islet gene regulation and mRNA translation, and islet cytokine signaling in the context of type 1 diabetes.  Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Mirmira.
Research Scientist
The University of Washington Diabetes Research Center (DRC) Cell Function Analysis Core is recruiting a Research Scientist working to work on isolation of islets and other cell types using microsurgical and gradient purification techniques and cell culture; and investigating the function, bioenergetics and intracellular signaling in cells/islets from normal and diabetic models/patients using a variety of assays including sophisticated, real-time spectroscopic and imaging techniques. In addition, effort will be spent on the development of instrumentation for cell analysis that involves the design, implementation, testing and optimization of optical sensors and microfluidics.  Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Sweet.
Research Position
The laboratory of Dr. Vincent Poitout has a PhD position available for those interested in cell biology, signalling and glucose homeostasis. The laboratory is focused on pancreatic beta-cell biology and its perturbations in type 2 diabetes. The objective of this project is to explore the mechanisms whereby the pancreatic betacell increases its functional mass during puberty and their impact on glucose homeostasis in adulthood, using a combination of in vitro and in vivo approaches. The successful applicant will hold an MSc. degree in biochemistry, cell biology or physiology (or equivalent) and be eligible to the biochemistry, pharmacology or physiology programs at the University of Montreal. The candidate will receive a scholarship according to the guidelines of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Application to training awards from funding agencies is strongly encouraged. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Poitout.
Faculty Position
The Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida Diabetes Institute is seeking creative and highly motivated individuals for the position of Postdoctoral Associate under the direction of Dr. Todd Brusko. The Postdoc will be engaged in studying novel pathways regulating the differentiation and pathogenicity of T cells, the function of regulatory T cell biology in autoimmunity. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Brusko.
Faculty Position
The Lilly Diabetes Center of Excellence (LDCE) at the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI) is recruiting promising young investigators to start their own independent laboratories under excellent research conditions. The LDCE is recruiting high-potential Principal Investigators (PIs) at the IBRI in Indianapolis, Ind., who are interested in pancreatic beta cell research, particularly related to iPSC-derived beta cells and the crosstalk between beta cells and the immune system in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Eizirik.
Faculty Position
The Diabetes Center of Excellence at the University of Massachusetts Medical School invites applications for a SENIOR TENURED or JUNIOR TENURE-TRACK basic science or clinical investigator faculty position. The position will be highly competitive with regard to start-up funds, laboratory space (if needed) and salary. The Center seeks an individual of outstanding research potential relating to diabetes pathophysiology or treatment. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Harlan.
Faculty Position
The Diabetes Clinical Research Program (DCRP) at Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI) seeks to recruit outstanding applicants for a new faculty position. The appointment will be at the at the assistant, associate or full member level, commensurate with experience, training and achievement. The DCRP is an international leader in type 1 (autoimmune) diabetes research.  We are looking for an investigator with strong interest in clinical research and clinical trials to take a leadership role within the DCRP and work on national, regional, and local projects in type 1 diabetes.  Experience in epidemiology, clinical investigation and/or clinical trials preferred; however, applicants with related research experience will be considered including work outside of type 1 diabetes. Requires an MD and a license to practice medicine in US. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. James.
The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Department of of Microbiology and Immunology is accepting applications for Assistant and Associate Professor level for investigators with research interests related to immunotherapy of cancer, autoimmunity, or infectious diseases. Applicants should have a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent, at least 3 years of postdoctoral training. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Brusko.
Postdoctoral Position
A postdoctoral research associate position is available in the Hughes Lab at the Washington University School of Medicine to study primary cilia in islet cells. The laboratory combines standard molecular and cell biology with advanced imaging techniques to explore novel roles of cilia in mouse and human islets. We have generated new cilia knockout mouse models with strong diabetic phenotypes and are looking for someone to lead the investigation of cilia-mediated signaling mechanisms in islet hormone secretion. For human studies, we have a funded project to image primary cilia in T1D pancreas which will generate important and clinically relevant findings in autoimmune diabetes. Interested candidates please email Dr. Jing Hughes. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Hughes.
Postdoctoral Position
Postdoctoral Scholar Positions in Microphysiological Systems (“Tissue Chips”) in the Hughes Lab. An NIH-funded postdoctoral position is available to work on the development of body-on-chip devices in the areas of pancreatic islets (Type 1 diabetes). The ideal candidate will have experience in cell culture, vascular biology, bioengineering (including COMSOL modeling), and microfluidic systems. Prior knowledge in the areas of diabetes would be an advantage, however, candidates with any combination of the above should consider applying. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Hughes.
Postdoctoral Position
The Arrojo e Drigo lab focuses on the mechanisms regulating post‐mitotic cell homeostasis and longevity. Many postmitotic cells can be as old as the organism, which makes them remarkably long‐lived. We study long‐lived cells in different organs and explore their developmental trajectory, structure‐function and aging patterns. Our lab uses a combination of single cell sequencing and high‐resolution light, electron and isotope microscopy platforms to overlay cell structure‐function with molecular identity, age and metabolism. Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position to study the physiology of long‐lived cells in the pancreas. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Arrojo e Drigo.
Postdoctoral Position
Our laboratory is studying pancreatic beta-cell biology and its perturbations in type 2 diabetes. The objectives of project are to decipher the physiological role of the fatty-acid receptor FFAR4 (GPR120) in pancreatic islet hormone release and to identify its intracellular signaling mechanisms. The successful applicant will hold a PhD or equivalent. Experience in islet biology and/or glucose homeostasis is required. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Poitout.
Postdoctoral Position
The Voight lab invites applications for a computational Post-Doctoral position at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, within the Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics and the Department of Genetics. The lab focuses on translating discoveries from human genetics data into insights about the biological basis and genetic architecture of human disease (ultimately toward developing new therapeutics targets for human disease), and understanding selection
during recent human evolution. The candidate will have a MD, PhD, or equivalent doctorate, with a strong background in one or more of the following areas: statistics, biostatistics, population genetics, human genetics, genetic epidemiology, computational biology and/or genomics, bioinformatics. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Voight.
Postdoctoral Position
A postdoctoral researcher position studying human islet biology is available in the laboratory of Dr. Ed Phelps. The postdoctoral researcher will work on currently funded NIH projects: R01 TBD “Mechanism and dynamics of islet GABA signaling” and HIRN UG3 DK122638 02 “Engineering a human microphysiological system for the characterization of islet-immune interactions”. A background in islet biology, neuroscience, or cell/molecular biology will beneficial to the success of the project. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Phelps.
We are seeking a highly motivated individual for a postdoctoral position in the Department of Pathology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Our laboratory focuses on using human embryonic stem cell and iPS cell models to study human pancreatic development and diabetes. The NIH funded position aims to use the human ES/iPS system to study monogenic forms of diabetes using genome engineered stem cell lines. Applicants must have a PhD or MD degree in the biological or physical sciences. Prior laboratory experience in cell culture, basic molecular biology, and flow cytometry is preferred. The position is available Fall of 2020, with some flexibility for a later start date. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Gadue.
Postdoctoral Fellow
A fully-funded postdoctoral fellowship position is available in the Soleimanpour islet mitochondria laboratory, where we are interested on the interface of mitochondria and the ER in the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D). We are seeking highly motivated candidates (who possess a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree) interested in conducting research focused on understanding molecular and genetic causes of diabetes. The fellow will be mentored in preparation of manuscripts, presentation of work at national/international meetings, and grant submissions to support their development of skills needed for the remainder of their career. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Soleimanpour.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Fellow in Functional Genomics position that spans the laboratories of Drs. Steve Parker and Jacob Kitzman in the Departments of Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics and Human Genetics at the University of Michigan Medical School. The major goal of the lab is to generate mechanistic knowledge about how disease susceptibility is encoded in the noncoding portion of the genome (from GWAS), with a focus on type 2 diabetes. We accomplish this through an interdisciplinary combination of molecular/cellular and computational methods. We generate multiple high-throughput functional genomics data sets on the genome, epigenome, and transcriptome across species and in disease-relevant tissues/cells and use computational approaches to integrate and analyze this data. The applicant will help organize and lead research projects involving molecular biology, cell biology, genomics, and genetics, which involves critical evaluation and presentation of scientific literature. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Parker.
Postdoctoral Fellows
The Powers & Brissova research group in the Vanderbilt Diabetes Center is seeking a postdoctoral fellows to study human pancreas and islet biology with a focus on gene expression and developmental biology of single cells. We are especially interested individuals with computational or informatics
expertise, multimodal, multiplex imaging experience, or live cell imaging experience. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Powers.
Postdoctoral positions in the Kulkarni Lab at Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School. Applications are invited for prospective Post-Doctoral Fellows to train in the Kulkarni Lab. The position is available immediately for a period of 2 years with the possibility of extending for a third year based on available funds and performance of the Fellow. Applications are invited from qualified individuals with a PhD or MD or MD PhD degrees and interested in working in exciting projects focused on defining pathways and identifying mechanisms that regulate pancreatic (endocrine and exocrine) biology and interrogating inter-organ cross talk in the overall maintenance of glucose homeostasis. Successful candidates should have a strong background in molecular biology, cell biology and biochemistry. It is strongly preferable to have prior experience in bioinformatics and the ability to interrogate “omics” and sequencing datasets. Prospective candidates should possess skills in handling human islets and undertake animal studies. It would be an advantage to be able to undertake rodent islet isolation, and perform immunostaining. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Kulkarni.
Postdoctoral Associate
The laboratory of Dr. Jeffrey Millman in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research at Washington University School of Medicine is searching for a postdoctoral associates to lead several new research projects in the lab. The objective of the Millman Lab is to generate and study stem cell-derived beta cells for use in diabetic disease modeling and cell therapy. The candidate must have a PhD in cell biology, biomedical engineering, or related fields and has demonstrated quality publication of their work. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Millman.
Postdoctoral Associate
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Research Associate for the Child Health Institute of New Jersey. The position is available in El Ouaamari’s laboratory to investigate the role of the peripheral neurons in the regulation of systemic energy homeostasis in the context of obesity and diabetes. Self-driven, creative, resourceful and independent candidates with a PhD in neuroscience or neurobiology are encouraged to apply. Prior postdoctoral experience in neuroscience or related fields is required. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. El Ouaamari.
Postdoctoral Associate
The Long Lab is a translational immunology lab focused on better understanding underlying mechanisms of autoimmune disease, patient variability, and response to therapy. Currently, we are primarily focused on three, inter-related projects in the setting of T1D: 1) Causes and consequences of reduced response to IL-2, 2) Cellular definition and stability of CD8 T cell exhaustion associated with response to therapy, and 3) identification of biomarkers of disease severity.  The Postdoctoral Research Associate conducts independent biomedical research relevant to defining mechanisms underlying CD8 T cell exhaustion in the context of type 1 diabetes (T1D). The Postdoctoral Research Associate is a team-player who welcomes challenges and wants to grow as a translational biologist. Requires a Ph.D. in Immunology or a related field and experience in tissue culture, cellular and molecular techniques. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Long.
Postdoctoral Position
One postdoctoral fellow position is available at the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute are available in the IBRI Diabetes Center. We are looking for highly motivated researchers to join the IBRI in the lab of Dr. Decio Eizirik. This lab aims to clarify the mechanisms of pancreatic beta cell dysfunction and death in type 1 diabetes mellitus, with focus on endoplasmic reticulum stress, alternative splicing and other mechanisms that may contribute to beta cell death and generation of neoantigens. The selected candidate will participate in a team working with primary human and rodent islets, animal models of diabetes and human beta cell lines, and advanced molecular biology techniques. A strong understanding of beta cell biology and/or molecular biology is important. The selected candidate will be motivated and take initiative in proposing and performing experiments, with support by Dr. Eizirik and other colleagues in the lab. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Eizirik.
Postdoctoral Position
We are looking for recent Ph.D to pursue a career in science and biotechnology at the intersection of immunology and aging. People trained in my lab pursue careers in academia, biotech start-ups, venture funds or consultants for large firms. The long-term goal of my research is to understand the role of tissue secretory senescent cells in diseases such as autoimmunity, diabetes and diseases of aging. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to
Postdoctoral position in the Lab of Dr. Sangeeta Dhawan at the Beckman Research Institute at City of Hope, in Los Angeles county, CA to study the epigenetic regulation of pancreatic beta cell mass. The candidate should have a PhD in molecular, cell, or developmental biology. Experience in genetic mouse models, islet biology, physiology, molecular biology, high throughput sequencing is desirable. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Dhawan.
Postdoctoral position in the Lab of Dr. Doris Stoffers in the Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism within the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. A PhD is required; experience in genetic mouse models, islet physiology, advanced molecular techniques, high throughput sequencing methodologies and bioinformatics, proteomics, metabolomics is helpful. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Stoffers.
dkNET Community Liaison
The NIDDK Information Network has an open position for a Community Liaison to provide community outreach and lead engagement with the scientific community. This position will support a range of activities linked to community-dkNET partnerships, researcher engagement and knowledge networking. The position will entail engaging with research scientists, students and trainees, government, industry and broader audiences through workshops, in-person outreach events, multimedia, social media and Web-based systems. dkNET was launched by the FAIR Data Informatics Laboratory at the University of California, San Diego to serve the needs of basic and clinical investigators in diabetes, digestive and kidney disease by addressing the challenge of connecting researchers to research resources, assisting researchers with rigor and reproducibility guidelines, supporting researchers in navigating new data sharing requirements, and providing tools in enabling data discovery and hypothesis generation. More information click HERE.
Research Technician
A new Stem Cell and Genome Editing Core Facility situated within the Kieffer Research Group has an opportunity for a highly motivated and collaborative technician to support diverse regenerative medicine research initiatives. The candidate will assist with the day to-day operation of the Core, will generate human induced pluripotent cells (iPSCs), and will culture and differentiate human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and iPSCs down pancreatic lineages. Please send your CV, cover letter, and contact information with 3 references to Dr. Kiefer.
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