Brown University Receives Grant to Improve Transplanted Insulin-Producing Cell Survival

Researchers are working to solve a major challenge in cell transplantation for Type 1 diabetes: helping insulin-producing cells survive and function long-term when placed under the skin.

News report — unverified, pending corroboration

Evidence label explains the kind of source behind this article (for example peer-reviewed literature vs community video). It is not medical advice.

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Key takeaways

Cell transplantation could restore the body's natural ability to produce insulin, but transplanted cells currently fail within weeks to months
The subcutaneous space (under the skin) is an attractive transplant location because it's accessible and easy to monitor, but it lacks sufficient oxygen and nutrients
Brown University's Desai Lab has developed a technology that improved cell survival and function in preclinical studies
A three-year grant from Breakthrough T1D will support safety testing and manufacturing work to advance the technology toward human trials

The Challenge: Making Transplanted Cells Last

In Type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks and destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. One promising approach is to replace these cells with insulin-producing beta cells made from human islet cells in the laboratory.

However, transplanted cells face a major hurdle: they don't survive and function well long-term. Researchers need to find the right transplant location—one that is safe, practical, and allows cells to mature, integrate into the body, and continue producing insulin for years.

Why Transplant Under the Skin?

The subcutaneous space—the area under the skin—offers several advantages as a transplant site. It is accessible for minimally invasive delivery, can be monitored using non-invasive techniques, and allows doctors to retrieve the graft if necessary.

The problem: this location naturally provides poor oxygen and nutrient delivery, and the body's healing response often leads to scarring. As a result, transplanted cells starve and stop functioning within a few weeks to months.

A New Technology in Development

A team at Brown University's School of Engineering, led by Tejal Desai, has developed a technology designed to solve this problem. In preclinical studies—research conducted in the laboratory before human testing—the technology demonstrated improved maturation, function, and durability of transplanted cells in the subcutaneous space.

Breakthrough T1D has awarded the Brown team a three-year grant to advance this work. The funding will support preclinical safety testing and cell and device manufacturing development, moving the technology closer to human clinical trials.

Evidence label

Origin: Engineering | Brown University (News report). Evidence: News report — unverified, pending corroboration. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.

Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.

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