Group Members

Head
NameProf. Anthony Gavalas PhD
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Administrative Coordinator
NameKatja Pfriem
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Postdoc
NameZeina Nicola, PhD
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Predoc
NameMr Luka Jarc
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In my project I am taking advantage of novel signaling pathways in endocrine pancreas development identified in our lab to promote the efficient conversion of human pluripotent stem cells into fully functional beta cells. Their maturation and function will be followed using reporter cell lines that are currently under development. Additionally, I am exploring the expansion of differentiation competent pancreas endoderm (PE) cells derived from hPS cells using appropriate signaling molecules. This will reduce the time and cost of the procedure, thus bringing it a step closer to the clinic. The generated beta cells will be tested in vivo following micro- and/or macroencapsulation to protect them from immune attack.
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Predoc
NameMs Elisa Zanfrini
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Differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells to pancreatic beta-like cells is not still very efficient and gives rise to cells that are not fully functional. I am taking advantage of novel signaling pathways in endocrine pancreas development identified in the lab to promote the efficient conversion of human pluripotent stem cells into fully functional beta cells. Additionally, I am interested in understanding the function of transcription factors that are implicated in the maturation of beta cells using the hPS cell differentiation platform and inducible gene expression.
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Predoc
NameMr Ivan Perez Rodriguez
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Predoc
NameMs Mandy Roediger
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Predoc
NameMr Manuj Bandral
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PhD student
NameMaria Alejandra Ramirez Torres
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Postdoc
NameZeina Nicola, PhD
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I am the research lab manager of the group. My tasks include ensuring a smooth running of the lab, and training new lab members as well as conducting my own experiments which are focused on the adult pancreas stem cell population that we have identified. I seek to understand the role of adult pancreas stem cells in homeostasis and pancreas regeneration using mouse genetics, pancreatic injury models and adult pancreas organoid cultures.