Vitro Diagnostics Develops New Method for Pancreatic Beta Islet Growth and Differentiation

Researchers at Vitro Diagnostics, Inc. have made a significant breakthrough in the development of human pancreatic beta islets, which could potentially treat type I diabetes. The company has developed an in vitro model system of human stem cells that can be induced to form beta islets under specific environmental conditions. This breakthrough could provide an alternative source for transplantable materials and research tools for the discovery of new methods to induce regeneration and restoration of pancreatic function. The company's technology has successfully produced significant numbers of islets that contain and secrete insulin in response to elevated glucose stimulation, and these islets have been maintained and expanded for several months in cell culture.

Key Takeaways:

• Vitro Diagnostics, Inc. has developed a new method for the growth and differentiation of human pancreatic beta islets, which could potentially treat type I diabetes.
• The company's technology uses an in vitro model system of human stem cells that can be induced to form beta islets under specific environmental conditions.
• The breakthrough has produced significant numbers of islets that contain and secrete insulin in response to elevated glucose stimulation, and these islets have been maintained and expanded for several months in cell culture.
• Further development of this new method may yield sufficient material to expand the availability of transplantable materials for treatment of type I diabetics.
• The company's technology also allows for the study of factors affecting beta islet growth and differentiation from stem cells, which may yield new drugs that selectively stimulate beta cell regeneration without the need for transplantation.
• The company, Vitro Diagnostics, Inc., developed and produces the Vitrocell brand of human cell lines, including pituitary- and pancreatic-derived cell lines and related products.
• The company's products are intended for various research and commercial applications, including the production of recombinant human glycoproteins, stem cell research, and drug discovery.

Statistics:

• 15 million people worldwide are affected by type I diabetes (diabetes mellitus) (Source: Vitro Diagnostics, Inc.).
• Vitro Diagnostics, Inc. has successfully produced significant numbers of islets that contain and secrete insulin in response to elevated glucose stimulation.
• The company's technology has been able to maintain and expand islets for several months in cell culture.
• The company has developed an in vitro model system of human stem cells that can be induced to form beta islets under specific environmental conditions.

Sources:

• Vitro Diagnostics, Inc.
• Biotech Business Week