hESC-Derived Islet Cells - GRNIC1

We have derived insulin-producing cells (i.e. similar to pancreatic islet β cells) from hESCs and are working to improve the yield of islet cells and characterize their secretion of insulin in response to glucose. We are transplanting the islets to animal models of diabetes and early results show prolonged survival of cells in the engrafted animals and the detection of human insulin in their blood. The derivation method and characterization of our hESC-derived islets was published in Stem Cells in August 2007.