I have an opening for a postdoctoral fellow to dissect pathways through which connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf) promotes beta cell proliferation and regeneration. The project involves working with mouse models of Ctgf inducible over-expression and inactivation, ex vivo studies with recombinant Ctgf protein and mouse and human islets, and a mouse model of human islet transplantation.
The applicant should have a PhD, MD or dual degree. Prior experience with rodents is preferred.
Vanderbilt University has an outstanding, collaborative diabetes research community, with the longest continually funded NIH Diabetes Research and Training Center (DRTC). The university and medical center are situated in the heart of Nashville, TN, one of the most culturally dynamic, popular US cities right now!
Here are references to prior Ctgf publications from the lab as well as the lab website.
Crawford et al. (2009). Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) inactivation leads to defects in islet cell lineage allocation and cell proliferation during embryogenesis. Mol. Endo. 23(3), 324-336
Guney et al. (2011). Connective tissue growth factor acts within both endothelial cells and β cells to promote proliferation of developing β cells. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci, USA 108(37), 15242-15247
Riley et al. (2015). CTGF modulates adult cell maturity and proliferation to promote cell regeneration in mice. Diabetes. 64(4), 1284-1298
Riley et al. (2015). CTGF promotes -cell regeneration via immune cell modulation. Molecular Metabolism. 4, 584-591
Pasek et al. (2016). Connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf) is critical for proper -cell function and pregnancy-induced -cell hyperplasia in adult mice. Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab. 11(3), E564-574
https://ww2.mc.vanderbilt.edu/gannonlab/
