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Archive for the ‘Current Research’ Category
Design Protocol for Large-Animal Islet Sheet Study
January 30th, 2012
My last posting marked the start of trials at the new Cedars-Sinai lab to determine the efficacy of the Islet Sheet in large mammals—a long-awaited goal. It also talked about Professor Richard Bergman’s vision for his new Diabetes and Obesity Research Institute there. The fact that Bergman, known as a leader in type 2 research, [...]
Farewell to The Solving Diabetes Project Web Site
September 27th, 2011
This is my final posting to this blog at the Solving Diabetes Project. My Islet Sheet Project blog will continue at a new URL in October. I am in the midst of consolidating our new three-way (or five-way) collaboration. We have achieved our technical goals in Islet Sheet fabrication and are ready to commence large [...]
Highlights of ADA Scientific Sessions II – 2011 Banting Lecture
July 20th, 2011
One of the pleasures of attending a big meeting is that sometimes you learn something. That was certainly case at this year’s Banting Lecture, delivered by Banting Medal winner Barbara Corkey of Boston University. She delivered a very stimulating and thought-provoking lecture with observations from the edge of obesity research that suggest new research directions. She believes [...]
Highlights of ADA Scientific Sessions I – BGC Trial
July 4th, 2011
The American Diabetes Association held its annual Scientific Sessions last week in San Diego. Everybody else in the Islet Sheet research group had work to do so I attended alone. Next time I will summarize all the presentations I found interesting. This week I will fill you in on the poster that made the front [...]
A Pause for a Phase Change
April 27th, 2011
The Islet Sheet Project is in transformation. Many features of our work are changing. As part of this we are upgrading and consolidating our web presence. When I return to writing this column in a few months, I expect to have much to tell you.
The most important change is a move to a higher plateau in preclinical research.
The Crucial Test of the Islet Sheet
April 11th, 2011
The Islet Sheet Project is entering a new phase. As I reported in January we were planning to begin large animals studies. The planning is over and soon they will begin.
The most common questions I receive from readers of this site are:
“When do clinical trails start?”
“How do I get into the clinical trial?”
Conference on Encapsulation
March 29th, 2011
Last week the JDRF hosted a one-day conference on encapsulation. It was a closed meeting, invitation only. They invited Jonathan Lakey, our Islet Sheet collaborator at UCI, as well as me. It was a great opportunity to see what others in our field are up to.
Four of the presentations were by presenters from for-profit companies, and ten from academic institutions. The different perspectives associated were sometimes stark. Those of us developing products are trying to get into the clinic as fast as possible. At least two academic researchers said the we are not ready for trials! (At least three people in the audience are conducting such trials.) Their lack of urgency always amazes me.
Donor's Strike in Diabetes Research
February 13th, 2011
One of the abiding mysteries of autoimmune (juvenile) diabetes research is the reputation of the JDRF. As we saw in my last column the JDRF is celebrating 40 years of sponsoring research for a cure. They have spent over a billion dollars on research, and as far as I can tell they have not found the cure.
Islet Sheet Update
January 16th, 2011
Since I wrote you last June, we have learned much, some of it surprising and even disturbing. We have improved the sheet, performed many rodent studies, and are prepared to pursue crucial large animal studies. We think 2011 will prove to be an important year, when the basic question about the Islet Sheet is answered.
The Crucial Year for Islet Sheet is 2011
January 3rd, 2011
This is the year we will find out if the Islet Sheet works well enough to justify clinical trials.
How do I know that? First, my colleagues at Islet Sheet Medical have succeeded in inventing valuable medical technologies, so we know what success looks and feels like. Second, we are starting to get encouraging results from the diabetic rat studies. Third, we are experiencing growing interest in our work from parties attuned to changes in the zeitgeist. Finally, soon we will begin studies in diabetic large animals. And when done right they will be definitive.
