Devices to help implanted cell therapies survive under the skin
Development of bio-integrated devices to enhance transplant survival for subcutaneous encapsulated cell therapies
Researchers are developing small implantable devices that improve oxygen supply and reduce scarring to help people who receive cell‑based treatments for conditions like brittle diabetes and some autoimmune diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11325467 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you need a cell‑based implant, this work aims to make those implants last longer by improving the local oxygen supply and preventing scar tissue. Engineers will combine microfabrication and bioelectronic design to create subcutaneous devices that integrate with encapsulated cells. The devices use porous polymer membranes and structures intended to keep therapeutic cells alive in the poorly vascularized tissue under the skin. Early testing will include laboratory and animal experiments to optimize oxygenation and reduce fibrosis before moving toward human applications.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who receive or are candidates for subcutaneous encapsulated cell therapies—for example, individuals with brittle (type 1) diabetes or certain autoimmune diseases—would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients who are not receiving cell‑based implants or whose conditions are unrelated to subcutaneous cell therapy are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these devices could extend the survival and function of implanted therapeutic cells, potentially reducing the need for frequent injections or repeat procedures.
How similar studies have performed: Related encapsulated cell approaches have shown promise in laboratory and animal studies but have had limited success in human translation, making device strategies to improve oxygenation a relatively novel and needed direction.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Krishnan, Siddharth — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Krishnan, Siddharth
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 below.