Making better beta cells in the lab

About the project:

Researchers are on the cusp of making pluripotent stem cell derived beta cell replacement products a reality for treating Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). This innovation aims to create beta cells, which produce and release insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, in the lab. This will offer a new solution for people living with T1D who struggle with poor glucose control and face significant risks from immunosuppression.

The research focuses on improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of beta cell production, as well as enhancing methods to assess the quality of these cells. The ultimate goal is to create reliable, scalable, and high-quality beta cell therapies that can be widely adopted, improving the lives of T1D patients by providing a more consistent and accessible treatment option.

Investigators: Prof Ed Stanley, Dr Jacqui Schiesser, Prof Joshua Brickman, Ass/Prof Yan Fung Wong, Prof Eelco de Kononing, A/Prof Francoise Carlotti. 

Tissue of interest: Immune system

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Proudly in partnership with

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine, reNEW, is supported by a Novo Nordisk Foundation grant number NNF21CC0073729​​