Development of a novel treatment for diabetes: targeting the protein NAMPT

Prevalence of type 2 diabetes has increased dramatically in recent years. Type 2 diabetes is characterised by reduced beta-cell function and mass, and novel therapeutic strategies to reverse beta-cell failure are urgently required. Previous work in our group has highlighted a crucial role for the protein NAMPT (aka visfatin/PBEF) in beta-cell failure and development of diabetes in mice. In humans, serum concentrations of NAMPT are elevated in individuals with both type 2(T2D) and type 1 diabetes (T1D), where increased levels strongly correlate with declining beta-cell function and mass. Together, these data suggests that NAMPT plays a key role in beta-cell failure and development of diabetes. This PhD studentship will extend these findings, to examine whether inhibiting NAMPT represents a novel therapeutic option for treatment of diabetes. This project will involve use of a range of techniques including cell culture, pancreatic islet isolation, imaging, radio-immunoassay of insulin, PCR and western blotting together with use of diabetic rodent models.

Supervisors: Dr Paul Caton & Professor Shanta Persaud
Please send a CV and cover letter to Dr Paul Caton
Contact information for enquiries: [Email Address Removed]