Grant: Operating Grant: SickKids-CIHR-IHDCYH New Investigator Grants
University of British Columbia
$300,000.00
Towards robust beta cell therapy manufacturing for treating type 1 diabetes
FY 2021-22
Summary
Type
1 diabetes (T1D) is a debilitating disorder affecting millions of
Canadians, generally from childhood. Patients with T1D lack functional
beta cells that release insulin, making cell replacement approaches a
highly effective treatment. The Edmonton Protocol made breakthrough
improvements for transplanting clusters of islets, containing beta cells,
into patients. However, widescale adoption of this treatment has been
limited by availability of cells from recently deceased donors.
Since their discovery over 20 years ago, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs)
have opened the door to producing off-the-shelf cell therapies. hPSCs are
special cells that can multiply and also become all cell types of the
body. Canadian leaders like Dr. Timothy Kieffer have uncovered ways to
produce maturing beta cells from hPSCs. Since these discoveries, exciting
clinical trials are underway in which these beta cells are loaded into
thin devices and implanted under the skin. While initial results are
encouraging, for beta cell therapy to be available for children with T1D,
we need reproducible bioprocesses to make trillions of hPSC-derived beta
cells on-demand.
To tackle this unmet need, we will use an interdisciplinary approach spanning
stem cell biology and bioengineering. Our goal is to understand how each
hPSC and its progeny (a “clone”) multiplies and differentiates to produce
beta cells. To do this, we will expand on our existing cutting-edge
genetic toolset to track and control hPSC clones, allowing us to: identify
“bad” clones that acquire culture-induced mutations and plague the safety
of the cell batch, while studying the mechanisms that allow “good” clones
to become functional beta cells. By unlocking clonality as a new
bioengineering tool, we will improve the safety, efficiency, and purity of
beta cell therapies. With support from clinical and translational
partners, we seek to facilitate made-in-Canada production of beta cells,
freeing children from insulin injections.
Department
Program
Operating Grant: SickKids-CIHR-IHDCYH New Investigator Grants
Recipient
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
CIHR Funding Decisions Database
As published
Id
457194
Name
Shakiba Nika
Region
British Columbia
Country
Canada
Orgtype
Institution Paid; Research Institution
Prcname2
Special Cases
Projecttitle
Towards robust beta cell therapy manufacturing for treating type 1 diabetes
Programtype2
Operating Grants
Orgnameinp2
University of British Columbia
Cihramount2
$300,000
Cihrequipment2
$0
Programname2
Operating Grant: SickKids-CIHR-IHDCYH New Investigator Grants
Keyworddelim
.
Abstract
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<head>
</head>
<body>
<span align="start" style="letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none"><font color="rgb(0, 0, 0)" face="Times New Roman" size="medium">Type
1 diabetes (T1D) is a debilitating disorder affecting millions of
Canadians, generally from childhood. Patients with T1D lack functional
beta cells that release insulin, making cell replacement approaches a
highly effective treatment. The Edmonton Protocol made breakthrough
improvements for transplanting clusters of islets, containing beta cells,
into patients. However, widescale adoption of this treatment has been
limited by availability of cells from recently deceased donors.
Since their discovery over 20 years ago, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs)
have opened the door to producing off-the-shelf cell therapies. hPSCs are
special cells that can multiply and also become all cell types of the
body. Canadian leaders like Dr. Timothy Kieffer have uncovered ways to
produce maturing beta cells from hPSCs. Since these discoveries, exciting
clinical trials are underway in which these beta cells are loaded into
thin devices and implanted under the skin. While initial results are
encouraging, for beta cell therapy to be available for children with T1D,
we need reproducible bioprocesses to make trillions of hPSC-derived beta
cells on-demand.
To tackle this unmet need, we will use an interdisciplinary approach spanning
stem cell biology and bioengineering. Our goal is to understand how each
hPSC and its progeny (a “clone”) multiplies and differentiates to produce
beta cells. To do this, we will expand on our existing cutting-edge
genetic toolset to track and control hPSC clones, allowing us to: identify
“bad” clones that acquire culture-induced mutations and plague the safety
of the cell batch, while studying the mechanisms that allow “good” clones
to become functional beta cells. By unlocking clonality as a new
bioengineering tool, we will improve the safety, efficiency, and purity of
beta cell therapies. With support from clinical and translational
partners, we seek to facilitate made-in-Canada production of beta cells,
freeing children from insulin injections.</font></span>
</body>
</html>
Competitiondate
202104
Approvedterm2
3 yrs 0 mth
Pinamesdelim
Shakiba, Nika
Approvedterm
3 ans 0 mois
Cihrcontribution2
Inst of Human Dev &Child &Yth~ $300,000~ $0~
