• Type 1 diabetes breakthrough using stem cell research raises hope for cure.
    12 replies, posted
[QUOTE][QUOTE][IMG]http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/10/10/1412898352968/Testing-blood-sugar-level-011.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE]Experts at Harvard University use stem cells to create insulin-producing beta cells in large quantities, and say human transplantation trials could be under way within a few years. Scientists believe they have made a major advance in the quest to find an effective treatment for type 1 diabetes. Using human embryonic stem cells as a starting point, they have for the first time been able to create human insulin-producing beta cells equivalent in almost every way to normally functioning beta cells in the kind of large quantities needed for cell transplantation and pharmaceutical purposes. Doug Melton, Xander University Professor at Harvard University, who led the work, said he hopes to have human transplantation trials using the cells under way within a few years. The stem cell-derived beta cells are currently undergoing trials in animal models, including non-human primates. Prof Melton, who is also co-director of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, said a device being tested had so far protected beta cells implanted in mice from immune attack for many months. “[While] there have been previous reports of other labs deriving beta cell types from stem cells, no other group has produced mature beta cells as suitable for use in patients,” he said. Source: [url]http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/oct/10/diabetes-stem-cell-type-1-breakthrough-harvard[/url][/QUOTE]
Here be the abstract of the study, it took me some searching; [url]http://www.cell.com/cell/abstract/S0092-8674(14)01228-8[/url]
-snip- I got confused between Type 1 and Type 2, it's excellent that they have a cure.
[QUOTE=Xonax;46197848]I probably will get dumbed for this but whatever. I know having Diabete's Type 1 is bad and having a cure for it is good, but having a cure will also bring in the possibility of more obese people, I grew up knowing that Type 1 Diabete's is really bad, actually having Diabete's at all is bad, so having a cure will lessen the fear for the parents and kids themselves which is why I am aiming to get fit.[/QUOTE] Just because they will get cured of their diabetes doesn't mean that they're going to escape from heart and liver diseases and increased likelihood of such things as strokes. Also Type 1 and 2 are different things as mentioned in the below post.
[QUOTE=Xonax;46197848]I probably will get dumbed for this but whatever. I know having Diabete's Type 1 is bad and having a cure for it is good, but having a cure will also bring in the possibility of more obese people, I grew up knowing that Type 1 Diabete's is really bad, actually having Diabete's at all is bad, so having a cure will lessen the fear for the parents and kids themselves which is why I am aiming to get fit.[/QUOTE] I believe you are talking about Type II Diabetes. Type I is genetic.
[QUOTE=Bradyns;46197866]I believe you are talking about Type II Diabetes. Type I is genetic.[/QUOTE] Yeah I asked my Mom for her opinion on this and she explained to me Type 1 is different than Type 2 since I knew she has Diabetes.
they are talking about type 1, people with type 2 in most cases still have a functioning pancreas.
Good news for me
16.9? holey moley. stoked for my SO tho
I would very much love a cure for this.
About time for some stem cell breakthrough for this. Been hearing about stem cells being a potential avenue towards a cure since GWB's first term. My sister can get on with her life. I can get on with my life. As can my other friends with type 1.
you can go on with diabetes
People need to keep in mind that Type 1 is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system actively destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. I believe some studies even suggested that many diabetics are still producing beta cells, but they are quickly destroyed by the immune system. So while it's neat that they were able to create this, I can't see how it would make a significant difference (right now). One research institute is trying to build microscopic scaffolding/cages in which to place these beta cells. They would need to be small enough to keep any antibodies from entering, but they would need to be large enough to allow proper amounts of oxygen to enter the cells. With this kind of system in place, the Harvard team's breakthrough could start making an actual difference in diabetics' lives, but until that kind of system is fully developed I wouldn't get your hopes up. [QUOTE=Xonax;46197848]-snip- I got confused between Type 1 and Type 2, it's excellent that they have a cure.[/QUOTE] This is why we need two distinct names for two distinct diseases. Type 1 and Type 2 leads to confusion among many people (well if they haven't really tried to learn the difference anyway). [editline]10th October 2014[/editline] [QUOTE=Seith;46198904]you can go on with diabetes[/QUOTE] Diabetes is not a death sentence, but the current solution is more like patching up a tire with duct tape than properly sealing it. Diabetes management is a hassle (though one that I've lived with for long enough now that I sometimes don't fully appreciate it), but more importantly it has the potential to cause many other medical problems late (and early) in life. It changes how you do many little things that most people don't think about.
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