Webinar: Pluripotent Stem Cells to Beta Islet Cells - Advancing Translational Diabetes Research

Diabetes affects 500+ million people worldwide, presenting an urgent need for innovative treatments to improve lives. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) hold incredible potential to transform regenerative medicine by enabling the creation of functional beta islet cells to combat this disease.

In this mini virtual symposium, learn how experts in the stem cell field are harnessing PSCs to advance cutting-edge discoveries with the goal of translating them to the clinic to treat Diabetes. 

Part 1: Large-scale application of cell-based therapies for the treatment of Diabetes without immunosuppression: current-state of the-art, challenges and possible solutions

Key Takeaways:

• State of stem cell therapies for Diabetes.
• Limitations in current cell therapies (supply, testing, immunosuppression).
• Challenges and solutions for large-scale islet therapy without immunosuppression.

Speaker: Dr. Klearchos Papas
Director of the Institute for Cellular Transplantation, University of Arizona

Part 2: Bioprocess control and engineering of autologous PSC-derived islets for Diabetes cell replacement therapy

Key Takeaways: 

• Using suspension cultures for consistent PSCs and differentiated islets production.
• Key considerations for bioprocess control in manufacturing.
• Scaling up production with quality control for safety and efficacy.

Speaker:  Dr. Nidheesh Dadheech

Senior Cell Therapy and PD Lead for Human iPSC-Islet Program, University of Alberta

Part 3: Explore the crucial link between effective patient advocacy and successful Diabetes research

Key Takeaways:

• Importance of prioritizing patient engagement globally.
• Adopting patient-centered research models.

Speaker: Diabetes Action Canada 

Additional Resources from the Speakers:

1. Avgoustiniatos, E. S., Mueller, K. R., ScottIII, W. E., Kitzmann, J. P., Suszynski, T. M., Perrault, B. E., Falde, E. J., Balamurugan, A. N., Hering, B. J., Putnam, C. W., & Papas, K. K. (2024, July 10). Silicone rubber membrane devices permit islet culture at high density without adverse effects. Frontiers. View article.
2. Verhoeff, K., Cuesta-Gomez, N., Maghera, J., Dadheech, N., Pawlick, R., Smith, N., O’Gorman, D., Razavy, H., Marfil-Garza, B., Young, L. G., Thiesen, A., MacDonald, P. E., & Shapiro, J. A. M. (2025, January). View article.
3. Cuesta-Gomez, N., Verhoeff, K., Dadheech, N., Pawlick, R., Marfil-Garza, B., Razavy, H., & Shapiro, J. A. M. (2023, November 14). AT7867 promotes pancreatic progenitor differentiation of human ipscs. Cell. View article.