Obesity is a risk factor for diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. A key driving factor in the progression to further disease is chronic inflammation. This is brought about by prolonged, wrongly directed activation of immune cells. Our goal is to identify news ways to control inflammation in order to stop or slow the progression of obesity to chronic disease.
One promising approach is to re-program innate immune cell function by re-programming the metabolic pathways they use to generate cellular fuel and bioactive intermediates. We use animal models of diet-induced obesity to understand the metabolic changes that occur in immune cells, and how this impacts how they respond both to bacterial and metabolic triggers ex-vivo. Then, we test dietary and pharmacological agents that could counteract the effects.
We are recruiting a PhD Student in Pharmaceutical Sciences to lead these investigations. The student must have some research experience in cell and molecular biology, must have at least one first-author original research publication in a peer-reviewed journal, and must have a converted GPA of at least 3.5 (To calculate, visit https://umanitoba.ca/graduate-studies/graduate-student-admissions/requirements/international-graduate-student-requirements#international-gpa-calculations).
The student can expect to apply/learn technical skills such as:
· Animal handling (mice)
· Immune cell isolation
· Seahorse XF metabolic flux analysis
· Analysis/interpretation of targeted metabolomics data
· Gene and protein expression (eg. qPCR, western blotting)
· Flow cytometry
Our lab also emphasizes transferable skills such as:
· Problem-solving
· Knowledge synthesis
· Oral and written communication
· Networking
· Individualized career development (see https://umanitoba.ca/health-sciences/rady-faculty-health-sciences/graduate-professional-development)
We are affiliated with DREAM, CHRIM, and CCARM.
Please reach out to Samantha.Pauls@umanitoba.ca for questions or general inquiries. Application packages (coverletter, CV, contact for references) can be sent by email or via this platform.
