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Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Into Pancreatic Beta-Cell Precursors in a 2D Culture System
Published on: December 16, 2021
Reprogramming of human exocrine pancreas cells to beta cells
Willem Staels1, Yves Heremans2, Harry Heimberg2
1Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Abstract:
One of the key promises of regenerative medicine is providing a cure for diabetes. Cell-based therapies are proving their safety and efficiency, but donor beta cell shortages and immunological issues remain major hurdles. Reprogramming of human pancreatic exocrine cells towards beta cells would offer a major advantage by providing an abundant and autologous source of beta cells. Over the past decade our understanding of transdifferentiation processes greatly increased allowing us to design reprogramming protocols that fairly aim for clinical trials.
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