Studying Rare Diabetes using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (DIPS)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Studying Rare Diabetes using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (DIPS)
IRAS ID
280324
Contact name
Shivani Misra
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a genetic form of diabetes. In this condition a ‘spelling mistake’ (mutation) in a person’s DNA leads to the development of diabetes. However, we don’t understand why these mutations actually cause diabetes and how they specifically affect the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, known as beta-cells. This knowledge would help us to better understand what is happening to the beta-cells in people with diabetes and possibly shed light on new ways to treat diabetes.
The best way to study beta-cells would be to get a sample of the pancreas using a biopsy, however this procedure would be very invasive with unacceptable risks to a person’s health, so we do not undertake biopsies of the pancreas.
Fortunately, there is now a new way in which to study pancreatic cells, including beta-cells from people with MODY and other unusual types of diabetes. In this procedure, cells from the skin can be turned into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and then iPS cells can be reprogrammed into beta- cells. These beta-cells are just like the ones inside the pancreas of the individual affected with diabetes and therefore offer a unique opportunity to study exactly how the specific mutation is causing diabetes, by comparing it to cells without the mutation.
In this study we aim to collect skins samples from people with unusual forms of diabetes so that we can study in detail how their mutation results in diabetes using cutting edge experiments in the laboratory.REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/1071
Date of REC Opinion
19 Nov 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion