Dr Teresa Rodriguez-Calvo, Group Leader at the Institute of Diabetes Research at Helmholtz Munich, together with Dr Aida Martinez-Sanchez and Dr Prashant Srivastava from the Imperial College London (ICL) will study how microRNAs (miRNAs) - tiny molecules in our cells that switch different genes on and off and change how the cell works - affect the function and survival of insulin-producing beta cells.
MiRNAs: Boosting Beta Cell Survival for Type 1 Diabetes Therapies
In type 1 diabetes, beta cells in the pancreas are destroyed by the immune system. Differences in miRNAs might explain why some beta cells are more vulnerable to the immune system’s attack, and why beta cells produced from stem cells by scientists in the lab currently don't function as well as natural beta cells.
“MicroRNAs are tiny molecules essential for keeping insulin-producing beta cells alive and well. However, not all beta cells are the same—some are more resistant to immune attack, while others are more vulnerable. Also, some beta cells are better at releasing insulin than others. In this project, we will use pioneering molecular and cellular biology techniques to explore whether microRNAs contribute to these differences. Identifying which miRNAs to manipulate could help us to grow the very best beta cells in the lab,” so Dr Aida Martinez-Sanchez, Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London.
“By understanding how microRNAs impact beta cell survival and function, our research could lead to the development of high-performing lab-grown beta cells that are more resistant to immune attack and rejection, paving the way for long-lasting, effective therapies for people with type 1 diabetes,” adds Dr Teresa Rodriguez-Calvo from Helmholtz Munich.
New Hope for Type 1 Diabetes Patients
Beta cell therapies are being developed to help individuals with type 1 diabetes produce their own insulin again. For the approximately 341,000 adults diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in Germany according to the German Diabetes Society, these therapies aim to eliminate the need for multiple daily insulin injections or pumps and constant blood sugar monitoring, while also preventing complications. Developing beta cell therapies that are resistant to immune attacks could prolong their effectiveness and reduce reliance on immunosuppressant drugs.
The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge accelerates breakthroughs in diabetes research by fostering collaboration among scientists, clinicians, and innovators. It funds innovative projects that explore novel approaches to understanding and managing type 1 diabetes, aiming to improve quality of life and advance potential cures through cutting-edge research.
