First ever Islet Cell Summit in Chicago

Medical News
First ever Islet Cell Summit in Chicago
By American Diabetes Association, Apr 6, 2005 - 5:04:38 PM

The American Diabetes Association Research Foundation announced today its first ever Islet Cell Summit, taking place in Chicago, Illinois on Friday, April 8th. The Summit will convene seven of the worlds leading researchers who have received ADA Islet Cell Replacement Research Awards and are currently about fifteen months into their three to four year projects. These research awards support investigators who are developing basic science, clinical and translational research focusing on islet (insulin-producing) cell replacement in type 1 diabetes. The work of these researchers could lead to procedures that would ultimately restore the bodys ability to produce insulin.

The scientists ongoing work reflects one of three major focus areas:

* Genetic engineering of non-pancreatic cells into glucose-sensitive, insulin-producing cells;
* Transforming stem cells or pancreatic ductal cells into insulin-producing cells; and
* Transplanting non-human islet cells to restore normal glucose levels in people with diabetes, with particular focus on preventing rejection of these islets by the immune system.

The following researchers will be present to provide an update on their unique, but complementary projects:

Charles Burant, MD, PhD, University of Michigan: Using mice that have been genetically engineered for enhanced pancreatic cell growth, Dr. Burant is working on isolating adult islet stem cells to determine the best conditions for their growth and development into insulin producing cells. Once used to treat an animal model of type 1 diabetes, this same technique can be used to create human islets for transplantation.

Juan Domínguez-Bendala, PhD, Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine: Dr. Domínguez-Bendala is studying the embryonic development of the pancreas with the goal of recapitulating the process from stem cells in vitro. His work is based on a novel approach called protein transduction. This technology is used to progressively educate embryonic and pancreatic stem cells towards islet cell types, bypassing the complex signaling pattern that orchestrates the process in vivo. Dr. Domínguez-Bendala will be presenting data on behalf of the studys Principal Investigator, Luca Inverardi, MD.

Hengjiang Dong, PhD, Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh: Dr. Dong is using genetic engineering techniques to encourage liver cells to produce insulin that can be readily released into the bloodstream. Dr. Dong will use the natural glucose and insulin response mechanisms in the liver to generate a regulated system in which insulin production is stimulated when blood sugar is high and suppressed when blood sugar is low.

Marc Garfinkel, MD, University of Chicago: Islet transplantation has been shown to be effective in treating type 1 diabetes, but human islets are in limited supply and are often rejected by the patients immune system when transplanted. Dr. Garfinkel proposes to coat the transplanted cells in a unique gelatin-like material, a process called microencapsulation, to prevent the body from attacking the newly implanted cells.

Michael German, MD, University of California, San Francisco: By studying the development of beta cells during normal fetal development, Dr. German proposes to determine the minimal set of genes required to encourage beta cells to grow in the laboratory. If successful, his procedure could lead to a safe, renewable source of beta cells for people with diabetes.

Paul Robbins, PhD, University of Pittsburgh: Dr. Robbins has identified a type of cell located in the gut called a K-cell that may be able to respond to glucose and release insulin in a manner similar to islet cells. His research project will focus on identifying ways of transferring insulin genes to the K-cells in the gut in an effort to create a new source of insulin-secreting tissue as a treatment for diabetes.

Ji-Won Yoon, PhD, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science: Using gene therapy, Dr. Yoon will determine how a beta-cell growth factor can cause insulin-producing cells to replicate and then test the ability of a human hormone (human choriogonadotropin [hCG]) to prevent autoimmune attack of the newly developed cells in mice.

The ADA Islet Cell Replacement in Type 1 Diabetes Research Awards are funded in part by Cynthia and Edsel B. Ford, II of Grosse Pointe, Michigan and Arleen and Don Wagner of Venetia, Pennsylvania. The families have generously committed gifts of $1.3 million and $1 million, respectively to support the study of islet cell replacement. Both families became involved with raising funds for the Association after their children were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. In addition to their financial support, these families have also contributed countless hours as volunteers for the Association. Currently, Arleen Wagner serves as President of the ADA's Washington County, PA Council, Don Wagner is Chair of the ADA Research Foundation, Cynthia Ford is a member of the ADA Research Foundations Board of Directors, and Edsel Ford chairs the Advisory Board of ADAs Advocacy Leadership Council.

"As parents of a child with type 1 diabetes, we have personally invested in these scientists and their promising research, knowing that their work brings us one step closer to life without diabetes for all those afflicted," said Don and Arleen Wagner. "This summit provides a unique opportunity to talk with and learn from those individuals who are truly making a difference."

All rights reserved by RxPG Medical Solutions Private Limited ( www.rxpgnews.com )