Researchers at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse are developing lab-grown insulin-producing cells as a possible treatment for Type 1 diabetes, according to CNYCentral.
The team converts blood cells into stem cells and then pancreatic islet cells, which researchers say have helped regulate blood sugar after transplantation into mice.
Nidheesh Dadheech, director of the SUNY Center for Advanced Cell Therapy, is working with a company on gene editing intended to help the cells survive without long-term anti-rejection drugs.
The researchers estimate they need $15 million to $20 million to advance the work and hope to begin a human clinical trial within three years, pending Food and Drug Administration approval.
Upstate plans to bring clinicians, scientists and international partners together Tuesday for its inaugural Diabetes Cure Initiative retreat.
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