Our partner at Johns Hopkins University works on the replication research for the Chicago Diabetes Project. The end result we are searching for with this research is the ability to differentiate a patient’s own cells into insulin-producing beta cells, thereby eliminating the need for donor cells. A sever lack of donor cells is one of the biggest hurdles in selt cell transplantation. With only 6,000 viable donor pancreases available each year, islet cell transplants become limited. The researchers working with the CDP are hoping the replication and differentiation of pancreatic progenitor cells will be the solution to this problem.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University

Steven D. Leach, M.D.

Professor of Surgery, Oncology and Cell Biology

Michael J. Shamblott, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Neurology