Tissue Engineering for the Treatment of Diabetes

The research group, under the leadership of Prof. Sarah Farber, are actively working on developing autologous tissue as a potential solution for diabetes. In cases of diabetes, where the pancreas is damaged or destroyed, the goal is to replace it with healthy tissue. Our innovative research approach enables the creation of autologous tissue that can effectively replace the damaged organ. The concept involves "reprogramming" mature autologous tissue to generate new cells that function as pancreatic cells.

The technology is based on the use of transcription factors (such as PDX-1) and growth factors that effectively harness cells from the liver tissue to generate pancreatic-like cells that produce and secrete insulin, and thus cure the disease.

The major benefit of this approach is using the patients' own tissue, removing the need for organ donation and the associated risk of transplant rejection and immunosuppressive drugs. The laboratory research focuses on decoding and implementing the molecular basis of mature tissue reprogramming through genetic, developmental, biochemical, and cell biology methods.

In order to treat diabetes, pancreatic tissue can be developed from the patient's own tissue. This process requires the diabetic patient to donate a biopsy from their liver tissue.

In the subsequent laboratory phase, the liver tissue's original cells are amplified.  These cells are treated with the transcription factor PDX-1 and growth factors in a process known as developmental change. This process enables the production and secretion of insulin in response to elevated sugar levels.

In the final step, the new replacement tissue is transplanted back into the patient to help maintain normal sugar levels over time.