Project title: Development of Inducible Hypoimmunogenic iPSC-Derived Beta-Cells for Immune-Evasive Cell Replacement Therapies in Type 1 Diabetes

Due to the scarcity of donor islets and the difficulty of pancreas transplantation, scientists are growing stem cell-derived islets in vitro for transplantation. However, even if the stem cells are from the patient themselves, these transplanted islets still experience immune attack and inflammation. In my project, I aim to create iPSC-derived islets that are hidden from the immune system by mutating key immune factors on the surface of the islets. I will then test the efficiency of this system in vitro and in vivo. Through this work, we hope to make islet transplantation more efficient.