Biography
Dr Jessica Starikova is a Research Associate in the Department of Diabetes and Obesity at King's.
Jessica’s current work, funded by the Steve Morgan Foundation, focuses on validating stem cell-derived beta cell products and comparing their expression and function to human islets. For this project, Jessica is acting as Project Manager and Post-Doctoral Researcher.
Jessica graduated with first class honours in BSc Biomedical Science from King’s College London and a Distinction in MRes Clinical Research from Imperial College London.
She obtained her PhD in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism from King’s College London in 2025, where she characterised the role of islet regulatory proteins that govern G protein-coupled receptor signalling and desensitisation in human and mouse models.
Jessica’s skillset includes:
- mouse islet isolation
- cell culture
- in vitro assessment of islet function (including insulin secretion/content and ß-cell apoptosis assays)
- immunohistochemistry
- molecular biology techniques (RNA/protein extraction and quantification).
Research
Islet Biology Research Group
Our group studies the fundamental science of islets of Langerhans, from the molecular biology of beta-cells to their effects on whole body physiology. We research the mechanisms of islet dysfunction during type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes, identify novel therapeutic targets, and work to improve islet transplantation therapy for type 1 diabetes.
Research
Islet Biology Research Group
Our group studies the fundamental science of islets of Langerhans, from the molecular biology of beta-cells to their effects on whole body physiology. We research the mechanisms of islet dysfunction during type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes, identify novel therapeutic targets, and work to improve islet transplantation therapy for type 1 diabetes.