Quantitative analysis of pancreatic transdifferentiation of human liver cells

Project Member(s): Simpson, A.

Funding or Partner Organisation: The Rebecca L Cooper Medical Research Foundation L (Rebecca L Cooper Medical Research Foundation Proje)

Start year: 2015

Summary: Type I diabetes (T1D) is caused by an absolute insulin deficiency secondary to the autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic beta cells that secrete insulin. Somatic gene therapy is one of the strategies that is being considered to permanently correct patient blood glucose concentrations. The replacement of beta (ß)-cell function with artificial ß-cells that have been engineered to synthesise, store, and secrete insulin in response to increases in blood glucose could provide an endogenous source of insulin, thereby eliminating the need for insulin injections. This therapy would also prevent the chronic debilitating complications caused by the fluctuations in blood glucose levels that accompany exogenous insulin therapy.

Keywords: Gene therapy, diabetes

FOR Codes: Clinical Sciences, Diabetes, Clinical health

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