The Postdoc will work on a project entitled “Identifying T-cell responses against viral epitopes and their potential cross-reactivity with islet autoantigens”. T lymphocytes are key effectors in the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. Environmental factors play a dominant role over genetic predisposition, yet these factors remain elusive. We will be examining the potential role of viral infections and mechanisms thereof, with a particular focus on the cytotoxic effects directly exerted on beta cells and/or on triggering of autoimmune T cells through viral amino acid sequences sharing homology with beta-cell epitopes. The ultimate goal is to establish whether a causal relationship between viral infections and beta-cell autoimmunity may exist, and to gain information to guide the development of
preventative vaccines.