BMBF funding for diabetes research on pancreas chip

In various types of diabetes, the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas are destroyed. Science is focusing more and more on replacement and regeneration therapies as possible treatments for this case. The idea behind this: To use stem cells, which are cells that can develop into other types of cells, as a source for insulin-producing beta cells.

“Unfortunately, however, our understanding of the signals and factors that regulate stem cell programming is still not sufficient,” explains Prof. Dr. Heiko Lickert, director of the Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research (IDR) at the Helmholtz Zentrum München and holder of the Chair of Beta Cell biology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). Together with Dr. Matthias Meier from the University of Freiburg, he will be coordinating and leading the project. Also taking part in the project is Prof. Dr. Alexander Kleger from the Department of Internal Medicine at the Ulm University Medical Center.

Together, the scientists want to develop a number of cell culture models in a chip format in order to investigate which factors regulate the stem cells' development into endocrine and exocrine* cell lines, and how this regulation takes place. The cells grow on a substrate (the chip) and the fluids above this (a culture medium with and without additional substances) are regulated by means of miniaturized pneumatic valves. Also included are analysis methods in order to provide comprehensive documentation of the cells' reaction.

In the next step, a 3D model system is to generate so-called organoids, or mini-organs, in order to allow an examination of disease processes. “Using this 'organoid clinic', we will be able to test active substances under standardized conditions and examine the reaction of patient material to therapy options,” states project leader Lickert. The Munich researchers are going to specialize in modelling diabetes, in particular, while the focus in Ulm is to be on research on chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).

Over the long term, the project is expected to pay off in three directions: Scientifically, the consortium would like to explore the biology behind pancreatic diseases and identify possible points of attack. Clinically, the work will focus on developing beta cell replacement therapy and consequently in the long term, on healing diabetes mellitus. And last but not least, the project should also generate an economic benefit: Ultimately** it should be possible for a start-up company to utilize the research results. Conceivable options here would be the chip itself for possible production of beta cells from stem cells, a high-throughput screening platform for chemotherapeutics to check the efficacy on pancreatic cells, and an innovative instrument for individualized preliminary testing of therapy options on patient material.

Further Information

* While endocrine cells release their products (such as the messenger insulin) into the blood, exocrine cells secrete substances “outwards”. In the context of the pancreas, these substances are often the digestive enzymes, which are released into the duodenum.

** However, the researchers do not want to give rise to exaggerated expectations with regard to the first successes. They estimate that it will take roughly ten years until the results can be utilized. The term initially runs from 1 February 2017 until 31 January 2020.

Background:
Technically, the project is based on a microfluidic cell culture chip platform. This means that the cells grow on a substrate (the chip), and the fluids above this (a culture medium with and without additional substances) are regulated by means of miniaturized pneumatic valves. The so-called microfluidic large-scale integration technology (mLSI) will then make it possible to characterize the cells appropriately. For example, this comprises simultaneous analyses of various proteins in and around the cell (multiplex in situ protein analysis) including their interactions (“proximity ligation assay”), live cell imaging, the tracking of individual cells during differentiation, and much more.

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The Helmholtz Zentrum München, the German Research Center for Environmental Health, pursues the goal of developing personalized medical approaches for the prevention and therapy of major common diseases such as diabetes and lung diseases. To achieve this, it investigates the interaction of genetics, environmental factors and lifestyle. The Helmholtz Zentrum München is headquartered in Neuherberg in the north of Munich and has about 2,300 staff members. It is a member of the Helmholtz Association, a community of 18 scientific-technical and medical-biological research centers with a total of about 37,000 staff members. http://www.helmholtz-muenchen.de/en

The research activities of the Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research (IDR) focus on the biological and physiological study of the pancreas and/or the insulin producing beta cells. Thus, the IDR contributes to the elucidation of the development of diabetes and the discovery of new risk genes of the disease. Experts from the fields of stem cell research and metabolic diseases work together on solutions for regenerative therapy approaches of diabetes. The IDR is part of the Helmholtz Diabetes Center (HDC). http://www.helmholtz-muenchen.de/idr

Contact for the media:
Department of Communication, Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg – Tel. +49 89 3187 2238 – Fax: +49 89 3187 3324 – E-mail: presse@helmholtz-muenchen.de

Scientific Contact at Helmholtz Zentrum München:
Prof. Dr. Heiko Lickert, Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, Parkring 11, 85748 Garching – Tel. +49 89 3187 3867, E-mail: heiko.lickert@helmholtz-muenchen.de