Grant Award Details
- To develop an allogeneic hPSC-derived cell beta cell organoid product for type 1 diabetes that includes a stress responsive sensor to monitor graft health over time
Grant Application Details
- Bioengineering human stem cell-derived beta cell organoids to monitor cell health in real time and improve therapeutic outcomes in patients
Research Objective
We will generate nanoprobe-containing stem cell-derived human beta cells that can be monitored in real time in response to inflammatory stress upon transplantation in patients with type 1 diabetes.
Impact
Our product will replace donor islets for cell replacement therapy in patients with type 1 diabetes, and will provide a readout of cell survival and an opportunity for therapeutic intervention.
Major Proposed Activities
- Test insulin-producing cell organoids with nanosensors to secrete insulin in response to elevated glucose and emit a signal in real time, and test similar activities in animal models of diabetes.
- Test the ability of insulin-producing cell organoids with nanosensors to emit a measurable signal in response to increased inflammation in vitro and after transplantation in small animal models
The American Diabetes Association states that California, with the highest number of patients with diabetes in the country, also has the highest cost at $39.47 billion. A large proportion of these patients are insulin-dependent and are potential candidates for islet replacement therapy. Developing technologies that can improve transplantation outcomes in patients directly affects long-term quality of life. All Minutia staff are CA residents, with a long history of collaboration with UCSF.