Formation of Functional Beta Cells from Pancreatic Progenitor Cells

Our project investigates whether a functional beta cell mass can be formed by pancreatic progenitors derived from human embryonic stem cells and shown to form insulin producing cells when implanted in immune-deficient mice. This study not only assesses the therapeutic potential of huESC-PP-cells. It can also clarify the formation of a functional beta cell mass in the normal pancreas, or failure to do so in diabetes. It can lead to procedures that isolate and expand pancreatic progenitors from donor organs.