Additional recruitment to the Doctoral School of Natural Sciences  beyond the limit of places

Pancreatic β-cells are the only cells in the human body capable of producing insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating glucose metabolism. The loss or dysfunction of β-cells leads to diabetes, which the WHO has recognized as a global epidemic. More than 400 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes, and over 1.5 million die each year due to diabetes-related complications.  Currently available therapies require external administration of insulin or hypoglycemic drugs, as well as constant blood sugar monitoring. For this reason, considerable efforts are being made to develop cell replacement therapies, in which β-cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in the laboratory could be transplanted into patients. However, existing methods for generating β-cells do not yet provide the necessary quantity and quality required for large-scale therapeutic applications.   What we need is a continuously expanding pool of human β-cells derived from hPSCs that maintain their functional capacity over an extended period. The goal of this project is to identify new signals and mechanisms regulating β-cell proliferation and development. We will focus on early β-like cells, which differ physiologically from mature β-cells, particularly in their proliferative capacity. Early β-cells exhibit a higher proliferation rate than mature β-cells but have not yet developed a well-established ability to secrete insulin in response to glucose stimulation. β-cells generated through directed differentiation of hPSCs resemble early fetal β-cells rather than mature β-cells in terms of both proliferation and physiology. Some studies suggest that increased proliferation of human β-cells is associated with reduced functionality—meaning that cells either proliferate or secrete insulin. These observations raise an important question: must proliferation and functionality be mutually exclusive in β-cells?  Differences in proliferative and functional capacities between early and mature β-cells can be, at least in part, explained by signals originating from their surrounding microenvironment—the extracellular matrix (ECM). ECM is more than just a passive support system and a reservoir of macromolecules, such as growth factors and cytokines; it represents a dynamic microenvironment whose organization varies significantly between developing and fully formed tissues.  Based on existing literature and our preliminary observations, we hypothesize that ECM components play a crucial role in β-cell proliferation, differentiation, and function. The composition of the ECM is essential for maintaining the balance between β-cell functional maturity and proliferative potential.  In this project, we will primarily focus on the ECM protein SPOCK2, which is produced in newborn β-cells and their precursors. Our preliminary findings suggest that SPOCK2 regulates the proliferation and function of early human pancreatic β-cells and that it plays a role in β-cell development under in vitro conditions.  To address these issues, we will:  

1) Determine the role of SPOCK2 in early proliferation and function of human pancreatic β-cells. We have identified SPOCK2 as a potential novel inhibitor of β-cell proliferation, and we will now further investigate its impact on β-cell proliferation and physiology.  

2) Investigate how SPOCK2 controls the expansion of early human pancreatic β-cells by examining SPOCK2-dependent molecular mechanisms involved in β-cell proliferation.  

3) Assess the role of SPOCK2 at different stages of human β-cell development in vitro to gain insights into functional changes in β-cells with SPOCK2 deficiency and its significance in human pancreatic development.  

Using advanced techniques such as high-resolution microscopy, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and mouse models, we will characterize newly generated human β-cells, compare them to mature β-cells, and elucidate the key role of SPOCK2 in β-cell formation and proliferation.   

Our research will contribute to the improvement of human β-cell generation protocols, providing an attractive platform for basic research, diabetes modeling, and high-throughput drug screening, as well as potential applications in regenerative medicine for cell-based therapies for diabetes patients. 

Required Qualifications:

• A completed Master's degree in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, or Biochemistry

• Laboratory experience, including basic skills in molecular biology techniques and cell culture, is highly desirable

• Knowledge in the fields of biotechnology and developmental biology

• Scientific curiosity, strong motivation, enthusiasm, independence, and reliability

• Ability to work effectively in a team

• Proficiency in English (both spoken and written) sufficient for reading and writing scientific papers as well as fluent verbal communication.

Project description: 

Principal investigator: dr Katarzyna Błaszczyk UMO-2022/47/D/NZ3/02068 

Recruitment:

Selection Committeee       

• dr Katarzyna Błaszczyk – chairwomen
• dr hab. prof. UAM Małgorzata Borowiak 
• dr hab. prof. UAM Maciej Łałowski 
• dr hab. prof. UAM Anita Szwed
• prof. dr hab. Hanna Kmita
• dr Wojciech Szlachcic - secretary  

Recruitment fee

The recruitment fee is 75 EUR.

Form of the selection procedure

Two-stage procedure.

Language of the selection procedure, including interviews:

Polish or English language. 

Required documents:

 1.        Candidates who have obtained the necessary education outside the territory of the Republic of Poland, shall additionally submit:

1)    a photocopy of a document which confirms their education, certified to be a true copy of the original document, i.e. a diploma with a supplement confirming completion of first cycle studies (Bachelor degree) and a diploma with a supplement confirming completion of second cycle studies (Master degree, MSc, MA) in the original language and in a certified translation into English or into Polish,

            2)    a photocopy of their passport. 

 Evaluation criteria

 1)    the grade awarded for the diploma of the second cycle studies or single cycle five year master’s studies - maximum 10 points; in the case of candidates who seek admission on the basis of superior academic achievements ("Pearls of Science") - 10 points;

 2)    evaluation of the candidate's scientific activity and scientific achievements; the candidate indicates for evaluation up to three documented scientific achievements, in accordance with the achievement criteria adopted by the selection committee for a given discipline - maximum 15 points;

 3)    evaluation of the candidate's other documented activity, based on a maximum of three achievements consistent with the achievement criteria adopted by the selection committee for a given discipline - maximum 5 points

 4)    the result of the interview, with the scope of the interview including:

 a)    the candidate's knowledge and competencies relevant to the planned research and appropriate to the indicated scientific discipline,

 b)    elements of research methodology appropriate for the discipline indicated.

 No more than 50 points can be awarded for the interview; the maximum duration of the interview is 30 minutes.

 5)    evaluation of the research project prepared and submitted for assessment to the selection committee (maximum 20 points), with particular emphasis on:

 a)    the ability to formulate the research objective and present the research problem;

 b)    research idea and the ability to propose a solution;

 c)    methodology appropriate to the discipline indicated;

          d)    knowledge of the state of research with a basic bibliography. 

Condition of admission to the Doctoral School 

Education Program

Education at the doctoral school lasts 8 semesters. Education at the Doctoral School  is offered on the basis of a framework curriculum and an individual research plan and ends with the submission of a doctoral dissertation.

The framework curriculum at the doctoral school includes a catalogue of modules of compulsory classes, elective compulsory classes and optional classes. It also:

1)    defines their schedule

2)    defines the way in which the classes are taught

3)    defines how learning outcomes are verified.  

Supervisors

A doctoral student works under the supervision of a supervisor or supervisors, or a supervisor and auxiliary supervisor, who will be appointed by the Deputy Rector at the request of a doctoral student (within 3 months of the start of his or her studies at the Doctoral School).

Scholarships  

The scholarship is PLN 5,000 (gross-gross).