Production of key diabetes cells can be improved
The role of insulin is to reduce and regulate the blood sugar level when it is too high. People with diabetes do not have this function, and therefore need insulin injections in order to regulate their blood sugar levels. Researchers are trying to produce beta cells artificially with the purpose of transplanting them to diabetic patients to regulate their blood sugar. A new research result from the University of Copenhagen and Novo Nordisk recently published in the scientific journal Stem Cell Reports provides a better understanding of how to improve the production of beta cells from human embryonic stem cells. "At the moment, we can make stem cells develop into something that resembles proper beta cells. Our research shows that the current method produces cells that resemble alpha cells a little too much. However, the research has given us a better understanding of the steps stem cells go through when they develop into beta cells. In fact, we also show that the cel...