Dr. Timothy Kieffer, Dr. Megan Levings and Dr. Garth Warnock (General Surgery) have been funded by JDRF Canada and the Canadian Clinical Trial Network (CCTN) to accelerate translational research into new treatments for diabetes. Dr. Kieffer and his collaborators will explore the potential of using human embryonic stem cells to develop into functional, insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. His lab has already demonstrated that stem cell-derived islets can reverse diabetes in mice, and can even respond to fluctuating levels of insulin in the bloodstream, just as normal beta cells do. The CCTN funding will enable him to investigate the use of an encapsulation device – which he likens to a “teabag” – that would enable insulin to flow to and from the beta cells, allowing them to respond to the fluctuating insulin levels while preventing the intrusion of T-cells that would destroy the islets. If it works, it would eliminate the need for chronic immunosuppression
posted : 2014-February-17