Creating better methods for producing and editing insulin-producing beta cells
Official title: Development of platforms for sorting, production, editing of beta cells
Funded at Broad Institute, INC. · NIH-11085218 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new ways to create and improve insulin-producing beta cells from stem cells, which could help people with type 1 diabetes stop relying on insulin shots or donor transplants, making life easier and healthier for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Broad Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $651,811 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK132900-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11085218 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with type 1 diabetes who are currently dependent on insulin therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with type 2 diabetes or those who do not have diabetes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative platforms to efficiently sort, produce, and edit beta cells, which are crucial for insulin production in patients with type 1 diabetes. Currently, patients rely on insulin injections or transplants from cadaveric donors, which face challenges like donor scarcity and immune rejection. By utilizing advanced chemical biology and genome engineering techniques, the research aims to create a more reliable and scalable source of beta cells derived from stem cells. This could potentially eliminate the need for lifelong insulin dependence and improve the quality of life for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a breakthrough in the treatment of type 1 diabetes by providing a sustainable source of insulin-producing cells.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been advancements in stem cell-derived beta cell research, this specific approach utilizing genome engineering is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Broad Institute, INC.
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Choudhary, Amit — Broad Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Choudhary, Amit
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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.