Researchers from Cornell University have developed an implant system that supplies oxygen to insulin-secreting cells, providing a new and promising treatment for Type 1 diabetes and potentially other chronic diseases.

The published study, co-authored by first authors Tung Pham and Lora (Phuong) Tran, details how the team based their system on implantable encapsulation devices previously developed in the lab of Prof. Minglin Ma at Cornell. 

Ma, the paper’s senior author and a professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), has successfully created implantable devices that, although successful at controlling blood sugar in diabetic mice, failed to last long.

Tran pointed out that the culprit is the lack of oxygen after the device is implanted:

“In our lab, they had success in mice that lived over one year, and they controlled the diabetes very effectively with some small capsules without oxygen generation. However, when we scale up, we need more cells, we need more density, especially. We need a higher dose. If we implant without generating oxygen, the cells often die within two weeks.”

For the latest study, Ma’s team collaborated with co-author Linda Tempelman, Ph.D., and other electrochemical researchers from Giner Inc. 

They integrated a removable, dime-sized electrochemical oxygen generator into a cylindrical capsule with a ring-shaped cross-section, containing transplanted insulin-secreting cells. The generated oxygen can pass through the permeable membrane to reach the cells. In addition, they included a nanofibrous membrane on the capsule’s exterior to protect the transplanted cells from the host body’s immune system. 

Tran explained the logic behind the design:

“We have to meet two requirements. The first is immune protection. And second, you have to maintain mass transfer, like the glucose and other nutrients and molecules that can go in and out.”

According to Templeman, their design proved effective and truly exhibited the importance of oxygenation. She added that the capsules can last a long time, thanks to their protective membrane. 

Following the successful tests on rat models, the team plans to implant the system in a pig model, followed by tests with human stem cells.

Read the full article here learn more about the new implant system.

Developing new therapies for diabetes and chronic illnesses relies on excellent laboratory incubation to nurture cells and produce trustworthy data. BEING Scientific offers top-tier incubators designed even for complex research.