Histamine receptor in diabetic complications: from neuropathy to nephropathy

Diabetes can be considered a family of chronic degenerative disorders associated with a hyperglycemic status whose global prevalence is expected to rise by the end of 2030 to more than 55%, resulting in obvious devastating consequences for healthcare expenditure worldwide. All the antidiabetic drugs currently available are not effective in reversing the progression of this chronic and degenerative disorder with patients still at a high risk to develop both macro and microvascular complication. Therefore, a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology should contribute to new effective therapeutic approaches. Among the different mediators proposed to contribute to the pathophysiology of diabetes, histamine involvement has always been controversial and considered almost marginal. However, several lines of evidence support the contribution of histamine to the diabetic milieu resulting from the persistent hyperglycemia. In particular, different evidence point to histamine as a potential target for both neuropathy and nephropathy. This PhD project in the interdisciplinary and international established group of Dr. Arianna Carolina Rosa will focus on an integrate science approach to define the role of histamine receptors in diabetes and diabetic complications within the Pharmaceutical and Biomolecular Sciences PhD Program of the Doctoral School of Sciences and Innovative Technologies, University of Turin, Italy. The overall aim of this research project will be the identification, characterization and validation of histamine receptors as targets of both neuropathy and nephropathy through understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of diabetes complication onset and progression. This study will employ a combination of state-of-the art pharmacological, genetic, imaging and behavioural approaches, which will lead to characterization of a completely novel signalling route involved in diabetes complications, with high impact potential as a novel therapeutic strategy.

The successful candidate will benefit from full technological and academic support from the research group of Dr Rosa, as well as access to the vast array of expertise and tools provided by close collaborators across the globe. The successful candidate will be encouraged to actively participate in the national and international conferences on histamine and on diabetes. Moreover, during the course of this training, with a support from the University, candidates will develop professional skills (leadership, time management etc.) that will strengthen their future career progression both within and outside the academia.


More details of scientific interest and publications from Dr Rosa can be found at: http://www.dstf.unito.it/do/docenti.pl/Show?_id=acrosa
For any other information look the websites http://dott-sfb.campusnet.unito.it/do/home.pl
and http://en.unito.it/research/phd/phd-programmes

Funding Notes
Self –funded position
The Examination Board will carry out a comparative assessment of qualifications to award the recognition of eligibility. Please ensure that you are eligible to apply by checking the information at http://en.unito.it/research/phd/recognition-foreign-academic-titles
For 2016 the annauncement will be published on May the 30th on the web site, the dead-line for the application is expected to be due on June the 20th.