Sharon Lab Project For The Summer

Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune attack that targets insulin-producing beta-cells in the pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Our lab uses cellular and animal models – combined with advanced genomic tools – to obtain a better understanding of the processes that lead to islet formation during embryonic development, and applies these findings to improve the differentiation of pluripotent cells into transplantable islets, to cure diabetes.
In addition, we use tools from the field of developmental biology to study how the immune attack that leads to type 1 diabetes gradually progresses from its onset until the complete destruction of pancreatic beta-cells.

During the summer project, we invite you to choose one of the following areas :
1. Single-cell RNA sequencing of the islet niche following an autoimmune attack.
2. High throughput screening for molecules that affect the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into beta-cells.
3. Identification of mechanisms that control pancreas regeneration.