PhD Studentship: Using repurposed HDAC inhibitors to promote beta-cell survival. PhD (DUK Funded)

Project Summary:

During type 1 diabetes progression, immune cells infiltrate the pancreatic islets leading to pancreatic beta-cell destruction. This process, in part, is driven through increased activity of the signal transducer and activator transcription 1 (STAT1) signalling pathway. We have identified a novel mechanism to regulate this pathway through modifying STAT1 acetylation.

This PhD will aim to explore whether clinically approved, broad spectrum drugs which target protein acetylation (histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors) can block STAT1 signalling to assess whether these inhibitors might have therapeutic potential for type 1 diabetes.

During this project, the student will explore the impact of these drugs on STAT1 signalling using immortalised pancreatic beta-cell lines. They will use various molecular approaches to achieve this including Western blotting, qPCR and dual luciferase reporter assays. With the help of collaborators, they will explore whether HDAC inhibitors can diminish immune cell activity in T-cell co-cultures. Finally, the expression of key HDAC proteins will be examined in human pancreas (from the Exeter Archival Diabetes Biobank) to explore whether levels of these proteins change in type 1 diabetes.

The student will have the opportunity to present their data at national and international diabetes meetings over the course of the project.

The student will join the Islet Biology Exeter (IBEx) team, which is a collection of research groups who seek to better understand the biology of pancreatic endocrine cells in health and disease. It will be based in the Research, Innovation and Development (RILD) building which is situated on the Royal Devon & Exeter hospital site. RILD houses state-of-the-art laboratories, and a thriving community of research staff including world leaders in diabetes research.

We are looking for a highly motivated student, with an interest in diabetes or cell signalling. They should have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be able to display an ability to work effectively in a team.

Funding details:

The University of Exeter’s Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences is inviting applications for a PhD studentship funded by Diabetes UK to commence on 22nd September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.  For eligible students the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £18,700 for 3 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study.

The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit. Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply, but should note that the award will only provide payment for part of the international tuition fee (~£24k) and no stipend.   

International applicants need to be aware that they will have to cover the cost of their student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD.

The conditions for eligibility of home fees status are complex and you will need to seek advice if you have moved to or from the UK (or Republic of Ireland) within the past 3 years or have applied for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

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