G. Ian Gallicano, an associate professor in the department of biochemistry and molecular and cellular biology, and director of the Transgenic Core Facility at Georgetown University Medical Center, was the study’s lead researcher. He indicated that “The goal is to coax these cells into making enough insulin to cure diabetes. These cells don’t secrete enough insulin to cure diabetes in humans yet.” Findings were presented at the American Society of Cell Biology annual meeting in Philadelphia.
Gallicano and his team were able to use spermatogonial cells taken directly from the testicles of deceased human organ donors. Once the cells were removed from the testes, they were placed in a special culture that “chemically” instructed them to develop into beta-like cells. After the cells were coaxed into becoming insulin-producing cells, the researchers transplanted them into the mice. Examination of the mice indicated that blood sugar levels were reduced for about a week.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Individuals with type 1 diabetes must rely on insulin injections to process the foods they eat. Without this additional insulin, type 1 diabetics wouldn’t survive. Major funding for the study was granted by the American Diabetes Association.
African Americans are disproportionately affected by both types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus and associated complications. Among African Americans, one in seven has the disease, and African Americans are twice as likely as whites to develop diabetes. –torrance stephens, Ph.D.
