Optimization of porcine neonatal islet like cell clusters for clinical transplantation therapy (C01)

• Subject Area: Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolism
• Term: from 2012 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 213602983

The aim of this project is to further refine the optimal neonatal porcine islet (NPIs) source for clinical transplantation therapy by modulating donor pig age and subsequent in vitro culture conditions. We will evaluate the maturation, engraftment and therapeutic potential of the obtained NPIs with a comprehensive set of novel approaches in vitro and in vivo by longitudinal noninvasive cellular imaging. Furthermore, we will compare the potential of optimised NPIs to re-aggregated adult porcine islets generated within the consortium. Finally, we will utilise the optimised protocol for in vitro and in vivo evaluation of NPIs from multi-transgenic pigs developed by the consortium for clinical transplantation.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 127: Biology of Xenogeneic Cell and Organ Transplantation - From Bench to Bedside
• Applicant Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Project Heads: Professor Ezio Bonifacio, Ph.D., until 6/2016; Dr. Christian Cohrs; Professor Anthony Gavalas, Ph.D., until 12/2020; Dr. Elisabeth Gabriele Kemter; Professor Michele Solimena, until 6/2016; Professor Dr. Stephan Speier