Supported by an Amsterdam institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases Work Visit Grant, PhD candidate Moyan Liu embarked on a four-month journey at the laboratory of Prof. Verchere at the University of British Columbia (Childhood Diabetes Laboratories, BC Children’s Hospital). During her time at the Prof. Verchere laboratory, Liu, a researcher in diabetes and immunology, delved into critical pre-clinical experiments that promise to reshape her understanding of type 1 diabetes.

Liu’s host institute, the BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, one of Canada's largest and globally renowned research institutions is particularly distinguished for its pioneering research on beta-cell biology and immunity, addressing both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Prof. Verchere, the lab's head, is a distinguished professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and also serves as the director of the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics (CMMT).

The core focus of the internship for Liu was unraveling the in-vivo function of a specific microbial metabolite in type 1 diabetes through meticulous pre-clinical experiments. Collaborating closely with Prof. Verchere and his team, Liu successfully led two experiments involving non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. This experience was particularly valuable as the host institution provides a different housing vivarium for mice compared to the Amsterdam UMC animal facility. This difference in housing environments enhances the comprehension of Liu about the effectiveness of the target compound in alleviating type 1 diabetes in NOD mice, given the environmental sensitivity of this animal model. The experiments also refined Liu's skills in isolating immune cells from various murine organs, contributing to a nuanced understanding of immune system dynamics influenced by the target compound.

One of the highlights for Liu was the mastery of isolating pancreatic islets from mice, a technique with profound implications for exploring diabetes mechanisms. This skill expands the horizons of diabetes research for Liu and her team at the Department of Experimental Vascular Medicine and also offers direct applications for further fundamental research.

“This internship, made possible by the AII Work Visit Grant, enriched my academic journey but also significantly enhanced my professional network and expertise. The skills and knowledge acquired during the internship have not only propelled my current research project but also laid a solid foundation for future endeavors. The experience has given me a better position to secure prestigious grants and fellowships, showcasing the tangible outcomes of the AII Work Visit Grant's support. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the AII Work Visit Grant for their invaluable support in facilitating this transformative experience.”
Moyan Liu
Third-year PhD student at the Department of Experimental Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam UMC (location AMC)

Beyond the laboratory work, Liu actively participated in seminars and workshops at the host institute, gaining insights into current trends and challenges in diabetes research. These interactions not only broadened Liu’s perspective on global efforts to combat diabetes but also provided a platform to discuss research ideas with eminent scholars in the field.

For more information contact Moyan Liu.

Text: Moyan Liu and Esmée Vesseur

Learn more about our AII grant recipients:

Work Visit Grant / From Amsterdam to Seattle: Breaking Boundaries in Computational Protein Design (December 2023)

The Methotrexate Monitoring trial (February 2023)

AII collaboration grant in 2020, ENW-M NWO grant in 2022: the story of Nicole and Coen (October 2022)