Understanding how to create and protect insulin-producing cells for diabetes treatment
Official title: Spatiotemporal regulation of human islet organogenesis
Funded at Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center · NIH-11056693 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for better ways to grow and protect insulin-producing cells from stem cells to help people with type 1 diabetes, so they might need fewer insulin shots or transplants in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Torrance, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $601,734 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK136888-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11056693 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 advanced cell therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with type 2 diabetes or those who do not require insulin therapy may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to improve the production and functionality of insulin-producing cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) for diabetes treatment. The team aims to identify methods to enhance the scalability and immune protection of these cells, which are crucial for patients with type 1 diabetes who often require lifelong immune suppression. By focusing on a novel pathway related to mineral absorption and utilizing advanced technology for cell production, the research seeks to develop a more effective and sustainable source of insulin-producing cells. Patients may benefit from improved therapies that could reduce their dependence on insulin injections or organ transplants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and accessible treatments for diabetes, potentially reducing the need for insulin therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using stem cell-derived therapies for diabetes, but this approach aims to address specific challenges that have not yet been fully resolved.
Where this research is happening
-
Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Torrance, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yoshihara, Eiji — Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Yoshihara, Eiji
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.