3D human pancreatic tissue model to study T1D immune interactions
Official title: Interrogating the role of environmental and cellular factors in human T1D pathophysiology using a physiological, isogenic 3D platform
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11543330 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small, 3D printed tissue platform made from human cells is being developed to better understand how immune cells interact with insulin-producing cells in type 1 diabetes and to test new treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $294,998 |
| NIH project number | 1R56DK144181-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11543330 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with or at risk for type 1 diabetes who may contribute human cells or samples for research
✕Less likely to help
Participants or samples from non-T1D individuals with no autoimmune context may not directly benefit
What this research studies
This project uses a novel three-dimensional NIICHE platform that mimics human pancreatic tissue and immune cell interactions. By integrating 3D printing to place cells and materials, researchers can observe real-time immune responses to beta cells in a controlled, human-relevant setting. The work aims to expand the platform’s capabilities for testing human T1D hypotheses and potential therapies in a benchtop environment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the platform could accelerate discovery of therapies that prevent or reduce autoimmune attack in T1D by providing realistic human tissue models for testing.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work with similar 3D platforms has shown useful human-specific insights, but this exact NIICHE system is a novel extension
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stabler, Cherie L — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Stabler, Cherie L
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.