We are a group of biomaterial scientists whose interests and passion are to develop a cell replacement therapy for type 1 diabetes (T1D). T1D affects millions of patients, many of whom are children and the current standard (and only) therapy – injection or infusion of insulin can help patients maintain their blood sugar but does not cure the disease or completely prevent many diabetic complications. The concept of cell replacement replacing the missing beta cells with new insulin producing cells is tremendously promising as a better treatment or even a cure for T1D. However, maintaining the long-term function of the replacement cells with sufficient cell mass ideally in a safe, replaceable device inside the body without immunosuppression remains a formidable challenge.

We are working in small but persistent steps from all possible angles to tackle this challenge with an ultimate goal of developing something that can truly contribute to a cell replacement therapy and benefit T1D management. Examples of our current efforts include:

1. Developing cell encapsulation materials that cause no or minimal fibrosis. The foreign body reaction (FBR)-induced fibrosis diminishes mass transfer between insulin-producing cells and the body, and therefore represents a major roadblock for long-term cell survival.

2. Designing vascularization and oxygen supplementation strategies. Insulin-producing cells consumes a lot of oxygen and unfortunately typical transplantation sites in the body have barely enough.

3. Engineering cell delivery devices that are not only immunoprotective but also scalable, replaceable and safe.

4. Developing immunomodulation strategies to induce immune tolerance and delay transplant rejection.