The research group of Prof. Atanas G. Atanasov and Dr. Michel-Edwar Mickael at the Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology at the Polish Academy of Sciences, is seeking a motivated PhD student to join an exciting project exploring the therapeutic potential of functional food supplementation in modulating gut microbiota and immune responses in the context of diabetes. This position is available starting from 1st of September 2025 and is funded for three years.
Project Overview:
The project aims to investigate whether functional food supplementation can counteract dysbiosis and enhance immune regulation, ultimately improving liver health in diabetes. The work will focus on:
- Exploring the effects of functional food on gut microbiota composition, particularly beneficial species like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Bifidobacterium.
- Assessing the Th17/Treg balance and systemic inflammation in diabetic mouse models.
- Evaluating liver function and metabolism after functional food intake via NRF2 pathways.
The project integrates metagenomics, immunophenotyping, animal models, and molecular biology, with translational relevance for metabolic and liver-related complications in diabetes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct in vivo and in vitro experiments including dietary interventions in diabetic mice.
- Perform metagenomic sequencing and microbiota data analysis.
- Assess immune responses using flow cytometry and molecular profiling.
- Analyze liver histology and metabolic function parameters.
- Collaborate with internal and external project partners and contribute to scientific publications and presentations.
Desired Qualifications:
- Strong background in immunology, microbiology, or molecular biology.
- Experience with laboratory mice, including handling, injections, and tissue collection.
- Familiarity with flow cytometry, qPCR, or RNA sequencing is an advantage.
- Interest in gut microbiota research and host–microbe interactions.
- Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken).
We Offer:
- A stimulating and collaborative international research environment in a well-established institute near Warsaw, Poland.
- Training in advanced methods in microbiota and immune profiling.
- Full-time funded position for three years with the possibility of extension.
- Highly affordable accommodation is provided by our institution.
- Support for attending international conferences and workshops.
Application:
To apply, please send the following documents in a single PDF file:
- Cover letter (briefly stating your motivation and research interests)
- CV with contact details of two referees, you also attach your referee recommendation to your CV.
- A copy of your Msc certificate.
Send your application to:
Dr. Michel Edwar Mickael m.mickael@igbzpan.pl
References
Matin M, Hrg D, Litvinova O, Łysek-Gładysinska M, Wierzbicka A, Horbańczuk JO, Jóźwik A, Atanasov AG. The global patent landscape of functional food innovation. Nat Biotechnol. 2024 Oct;42(10):1493-1497. doi: 10.1038/s41587-024-02410-0.
Atanasov AG, Zotchev SB, Dirsch VM; International Natural Product Sciences Taskforce; Supuran CT. Natural products in drug discovery: advances and opportunities. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2021 Mar;20(3):200-216. doi: 10.1038/s41573-020-00114-z. Epub 2021 Jan 28. PMID: 33510482; PMCID: PMC7841765.
Religa P, Mickael ME, Kubick N, Horbańczuk JO, Floretes N, Sacharczuk M, Atanasov AG. High-fidelity in silico generation and augmentation of TCR repertoire data using generative adversarial networks. Sci Rep. 2025 May 26;15(1):18389. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-01172-2. PMID: 40419551; PMCID: PMC12106775.
Tewari D, Jóźwik A, Łysek-Gładysińska M, Grzybek W, Adamus-Białek W, Bicki J, Strzałkowska N, Kamińska A, Horbańczuk OK, Atanasov AG. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Seeds Dietary Supplementation Regulates Liver Antioxidant Defense Systems in Aging Mice. Nutrients. 2020 Aug 24;12(9):2552. doi: 10.3390/nu12092552. PMID: 32846876; PMCID: PMC7551560.
Kubick N, Paszkiewicz J, Bieńkowska I, Ławiński M, Horbańczuk JO, Sacharczuk M, Mickael ME. Investigation of Mutated in Colorectal Cancer (MCC) Gene Family Evolution History Indicates a Putative Role in Th17/Treg Differentiation. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Jul 26;24(15):11940. doi: 10.3390/ijms241511940. PMID: 37569317; PMCID: PMC10418881.
Mickael ME, Kubick N, Miftari K, Horbańczuk JO, Atanasov AG, Binçe K, Religa P, Kamińska A, Sacharczuk M, Ławiński M. The Role of Th17/Treg Axis in Retinal Pathology Associated with Diabetes and Treatment Options. Biology (Basel). 2025 Mar 7;14(3):275. doi: 10.3390/biology14030275. PMID: 40136531; PMCID: PMC11940215.
Bhaumik S, Łazarczyk M, Kubick N, Klimovich P, Gurba A, Paszkiewicz J, Teodorowicz P, Kocki T, Horbańczuk JO, Manda G, Sacharczuk M, Mickael ME. Investigation of the Molecular Evolution of Treg Suppression Mechanisms Indicates a Convergent Origin. Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2023 Jan 9;45(1):628-648. doi: 10.3390/cimb45010042. PMID: 36661528; PMCID: PMC9857879.
Mickael ME, Bhaumik S, Chakraborti A, Umfress AA, van Groen T, Macaluso M, Totenhagen J, Sorace AG, Bibb JA, Standaert DG, Basu R. RORγt-Expressing Pathogenic CD4+ T Cells Cause Brain Inflammation during Chronic Colitis. J Immunol. 2022 Apr 15;208(8):2054-2066. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100869. Epub 2022 Apr 4. PMID: 35379749; PMCID: PMC10103644.
Bhaumik S, Mickael ME, Moran M, Spell M, Basu R. RORγt Promotes Foxp3 Expression by Antagonizing the Effector Program in Colonic Regulatory T Cells. J Immunol. 2021 Oct 15;207(8):2027-2038. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100175. Epub 2021 Sep 13. PMID: 34518282; PMCID: PMC8490938.
Atanasov AG, Wang JN, Gu SP, Bu J, Kramer MP, Baumgartner L, Fakhrudin N, Ladurner A, Malainer C, Vuorinen A, Noha SM, Schwaiger S, Rollinger JM, Schuster D, Stuppner H, Dirsch VM, Heiss EH. Honokiol: a non-adipogenic PPARγ agonist from nature. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2013 Oct;1830(10):4813-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2013.06.021. Epub 2013 Jun 27. PMID: 23811337; PMCID: PMC3790966.