Scientific Focus

  • The primary objective of the Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research (IDR) at the Helmholtz Diabetes Center München is to develop regenerative therapeutic approaches to treat diabetes mellitus - complementary and alternative to the classical immunological and metabolic therapy strategies. Therefore, the aim is to improve current strategies for functional β-cell production in vitro with the ultimate goal to provide alternative sources of β-cells for cell replacement therapy in diabetes. Additionally, we analyze and characterize the embryonic and adult pancreatic progenitor cells to understand β-cell development, homeostasis and function for in vivo regeneration. Triggering endogenous β-cell regeneration is a promising approach to restore beta cell mass and normoglycemia in diabetic patients.

Selected Publications

Islet of Langerhans

Islet of LangerhansIslet of Langerhans

  • Beta-cells within the pancreas are not all the same: while the cells, that are positive for Flattop molecule (green), care for insulin production, some others, without Flattop (red), represent a backup pool of cells.