The BetaCellTherapy Research & Development program consists in two main focus areas:

1. Preclinical studies with stem cell-derived therapy products

To guide current and future clinical trials aiming at the generation of a functional beta cell mass by human stem cell-derived implants, our consortium is performing studies in preclinical models (primarily rodents) with stem cell-derived grafts. Current research can be divided in three major arms:

a. Studies with embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived beta cell replacement products complementary to ongoing and future clinical trials.
b. Assessment of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells-derived progenitors or beta cells as candidates for research and clinical applications.
c. Exploration of methods to modulate implant microenvironment with the aim of improving outcome and to translate findings to the clinical setting.

2. Biomarkers for monitoring clinical beta cell therapy protocols

The Center for Beta Cell Therapy in Diabetes is developing and implementing novel biomarkers for assessing implants in clinical transplantation protocols by using a cell biological approach comparing graft morphology, host reactivity, and circulating markers in clinical trial and preclinical models.

Grafts from iPS cell-derived pancreatic endoderm cells (above) contain few endocrine cells but mature after transplantation to generate implants (below) containing numerous insulin-producing beta cells, here labelled in red. Green cells are glucagon-producing alpha cells and blue stains cell nuclei.