Isogenic 3D beta cell and immune cell model for type 1 diabetes
Official title: Isogenic modeling of immune-beta cell interactions, alterations in beta cell phenotype, and vulnerability to cytotoxic killing
Funded at Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason · NIH-11542603 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are building a patient-friendly 3D system using stem-cell–derived beta cells and immune cells to study how type 1 diabetes develops and why beta cells are damaged.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $302,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R56DK147805-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11542603 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with type 1 diabetes or individuals at risk who may contribute samples for related studies, or patients who could benefit from future therapies arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
People without type 1 diabetes or a related autoimmune condition may not directly benefit from this specific model-building study.
What this research studies
This project creates a fully isogenic, vascularized 3D model that brings together stem-cell derived beta cells (SC-islets) and immune components to mimic type 1 diabetes in the lab. The system uses a microfluidic, perfusion-capable platform to keep SC-islets alive long enough to study their interactions with immune cells in a realistic environment. By making the model isogenic, it better reflects how a person’s own cells interact with their immune system. The goal is to provide a safer, controllable way to explore autoimmune processes without using donor human islets. This could lead to insights that inform future therapies and better disease understanding.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the model could help researchers test treatments and understand autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes more accurately and safely.
How similar studies have gone: Similar 3D beta-cell/immune interaction models exist, but this project advances them by full isogenic matching and vascularized, long-term viability.
Where this research is happening
-
Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: James, Eddie a — Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason
- Study coordinator: James, Eddie a
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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.