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The ability of induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs to differentiate into most body cell types has stimulated repair and regenerative medicine research over the past few decades. iPSC-derived blood cells, hepatocytes, beta islet cells, cardiomyocytes, neurons, and other cell types can repair injuries or regenerate damaged tissue in diseases such as diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Into Pancreatic Beta-Cell Precursors in a 2D Culture System

Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Into Pancreatic Beta-Cell Precursors in a 2D Culture System

Published on: December 16, 2021

Stem cell approaches for diabetes: towards beta cell replacement.

Gordon C Weir¹, Claudia Cavelti-Weder, Susan Bonner-Weir

¹Section on Islet Cell and Regenerative Biology, Research Division, Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215, USA, and the Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA. gordon.weir@joslin.harvard.edum.

Genome Medicine

|September 29, 2011

Summary

Stem cells offer hope for diabetes treatment by replacing lost pancreatic beta cells. Research explores using stem cells, including induced pluripotent stem cells, for effective cell replacement therapy.

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Optimized Protocol for Generating Functional Pancreatic Insulin-secreting Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

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Published on: February 2, 2024

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Last Updated: May 29, 2026

Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Into Pancreatic Beta-Cell Precursors in a 2D Culture System

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Published on: December 16, 2021

Optimized Protocol for Generating Functional Pancreatic Insulin-secreting Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Optimized Protocol for Generating Functional Pancreatic Insulin-secreting Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: February 2, 2024

Area of Science:

Endocrinology and Regenerative Medicine
Genomics and Diabetes Pathogenesis

Background:

Diabetes mellitus involves the destruction or reduction of pancreatic beta cells, essential for insulin production.
Current treatments face challenges due to limited islet cell sources and disease complexity.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advances in stem cell-based therapies for diabetes.
To discuss the potential of stem cells for pancreatic beta cell replacement and diabetes treatment.

Main Methods:

Review of current scientific literature on stem cells and diabetes.
Analysis of genomic insights into diabetes and beta cell biology.

Main Results:

Human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be differentiated into functional beta cells.
iPSCs offer potential for disease modeling and personalized therapy.

Conclusions:

Stem cell-based approaches show significant promise for beta cell regeneration and diabetes treatment.
Further research is needed to optimize stem cell therapies and address immune modulation and metabolic challenges.