Creating a new method to grow insulin-producing cells for diabetes treatment.
Official title: A microwell perfusion plate for manufacturing and testing Islet-like clusters.
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-10835931 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to create insulin-producing cells from human stem cells, which could help improve treatments for people with type-1 diabetes by making these cells work better and grow more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | May 5, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $153,713 |
| NIH project number | 5R03DK135460-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10835931 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with type-1 diabetes who may benefit from improved insulin production.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with type-2 diabetes or those who do not require insulin therapy may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new technique to generate insulin-producing cells, known as islet-like clusters, from human stem cells. The approach involves creating a specialized environment that mimics the pancreas, using a microwell array to ensure uniform cell size and a perfusion system to enhance cell growth and maintenance. By incorporating a decellularized extracellular matrix from human pancreas, the researchers aim to improve the yield and functionality of these cells, which could potentially lead to better treatments for type-1 diabetes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a reliable source of insulin-producing cells for patients with type-1 diabetes, improving their metabolic control and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in generating insulin-producing cells from stem cells, but this specific approach using a bioengineered environment is innovative and largely untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Asthana, Amish — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Asthana, Amish
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.