Implantable Islet Cells Could Control Type 1 Diabetes
BioTechniques • • health
Key Points:
- MIT researchers have developed an implantable device containing insulin-producing islet cells that can survive in the body for at least 90 days and produce enough insulin to control blood sugar levels in diabetic mice.
- The device encapsulates the cells to protect them from immune rejection and includes an on-board oxygen generator powered wirelessly to keep the cells healthy and functional without the need for immunosuppressive drugs.
- Improvements to the device’s waterproofing, durability, and power delivery have extended its lifespan and enhanced insulin production, with similar results observed using stem cell-derived islet cells.
- The research team aims to further extend the device’s functional duration to two years or more and is exploring applications for delivering other therapeutic proteins, potentially enabling long-term in-body drug production.
- This technology could transform diabetes treatment by providing a cell therapy option that avoids immune suppression and may reduce the need for frequent insulin injections or protein therapy infusions.
