The Division of Cellular Transplantation maintains a strong leadership position as an islet cell processing facility operating under Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), a top level of compliance in the medical industry. In fact, the University of Miami School of Medicine was among the first in the country to do so for islet cell transplantation.
With new discoveries continually being made, the division remains steadfast in its goal to increase the number of collaborative research projects with both University of Miami and non-University of Miami colleagues. It also offers divisional expertise in cell separation and processing technologies and is expanding its current training and visiting opportunities for interested investigators across the globe.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Human Islet Isolation and Transplantation Techniques Annual Training Workshop
The Diabetes Research Institute was host to the first Human Islet Isolation and Transplantation Techniques Annual Training Workshop, a three-day training workshop on human pancreatic islet isolation, purification, and culture techniques, covering manufacturing and production, FDA regulations, cGMP/cGTP requirements, and clinical transplantation protocols.
This workshop was hosted by leading scientists in islet transplantation and endorsed by the Cell Transplant Society and the International Pancreas and Islet Transplantation Association. More than 70 participants attended the highly interactive conference in Miami, and plans for the following workshop are under way for the fall. Approximately two training sessions per year will be given on a rotational basis, ensuring participants the latest information on islet cell processing technology and methodology.
 Stem Cell Research
Multiple research projects involving stem cells are conducted at the DRI, including a recently implemented program under Daniel H. Mintz, visiting professor, Helena Edlund, Ph.D., a leader in the field of pancreatic cell development. Edlund has contributed seminal observations on pancreatic ontogeny, defining developmentally regulated genes that are fundamental in the ontogeny of the endocrine pancreas.
The main goal of this line of research is to gain profound knowledge about the sequence of events and triggers that affect the development of the endocrine pancreas. The long- term strategy is to be able to repeat the fundamental developmental stages and re-create beta cells from selected cell precursors for the production of insulin. There is growing evidence that several populations of multi-potent stem cells can be driven to acquire beta cell form and function. Understanding the critical steps that normally guide stem cells toward developing into functioning pancreas cells capable of producing insulin will allow us to refine strategies to generate beta cells in the laboratory. Success in this approach would solve one current and pressing problem: the shortage of insulin-producing tissue for transplantation in relation to the huge number of patients who could benefit from the procedure.
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