Searching for stem cells in the pancreas

Background to Project

The development of Type 1 diabetes is caused by the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the islets of the pancreas, which cannot be effectively replaced. Scientists know little about the mechanisms that control growth, survival and regeneration in human islet cells and they know even less about the stem cells in the human pancreas that lead to islet cell development, or why they fail in diabetes. Accordingly, it is vital that human studies are advanced in this area. Stem cells are special kinds of cell with the potential to develop into other unique cell types with specific functions. Researchers at the University of Manchester have recently developed an innovative collection of human pancreas stem cells known as ‘PEndo’ cells. These can be grown in the lab for long periods and encouraged to develop into insulin-producing cells.

Project aims

In this study, a student supervised by Professor Mark Dunne will make the most of advances in stem cell biology and cell profiling techniques to take snapshots of protein markers on the surface of the new ‘PEndo’ stem cells at each stage of their development into insulin producing cells. These snapshots will allow the researchers to identify specific proteins associated with key development stages, which they will confirm using studies of the development and regeneration of the human pancreas. Their findings will help scientists to recognise the differences between stem cells (at different stages of development) and the numerous other cell types found in the pancreas.

Potential benefit to people with diabetes

Results from this research will help to improve our knowledge of the causes of diabetes, the development of islet cells and potential treatment options that aim to regenerate or replace cells in the pancreas. The researchers will also improve their understanding of the role of stem cells in the pancreas and find out how they can be encouraged to make more insulin producing cells. Ultimately, researchers will be able to work out how stem cells can be identified, isolated and purified from the pancreases of deceased donors for use in drug discovery and the development of improved islet transplantation for Type 1 diabetes. Such developments could potentially have an impact on people with diabetes in around 10 years.