3D: Biomaterials for Islet Cell Therapy - From Innovation to Commercialization

Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Room: Hanover AB

Description

This session will explore cutting-edge biomaterials that advance islet and beta cell transplantation for type 1 diabetes by addressing cell manufacturing, immune rejection, hypoxia, inflammation, engraftment, vascularization, and retrievability. Biomaterial strategies include immunomodulatory materials, encapsulation systems, and scaffolds that enhance cell survival, function, and transplantation outcomes. Discussion will cover the path to commercialization, including regulatory considerations, translational hurdles, and emerging market opportunities.

Moderators:

Edward Phleps
Associate Professor
J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering

Jessica Weaver
Principal Invesitgator
Arizona State University

Alan Chiu
Research Scientist
Breakthrough T1D

  • 8:00 AM. 122. 4D Extracellular Matrix Platform Models Human Cytotoxic T Cell Interactions with β-cells in Type 1 Diabetes.Magdalena Samojlik1, Min Du, M.S.1, Austin Kratz, B.S.1, Matthew Brown1, Todd Brusko1, Edward Phelps1, Holger Russ1, Cherie Stabler1 1University of Florida

  • 8:15 AM. 123. Vascularizing Hydrogel to Deliver Stem Cell-Derived Islets to the Subcutaneous Space.Angelica Torres1, Sophia Kioulaphides, B.S., M.S.1, Graham Barber, Research Technician1, Haval Shirwan, Professor2, Esma Yolcu2, Ji Lei, Professor3, James Markmann, Professor3, Jeffrey Millman, Professor4, Andrés García, PhD1 1Georgia Institute of Technology, 2University of Missouri, 3University of Pennsylvania, 4Washington University, St. Louis

  • 8:30 AM. 124. Kinetics of immune responses toward macroencapsulated allogeneic insulin secreting cell grafts in leading transplant sites.Tuhfah Abdallah, MS1, Tanush Varma1, , Matthew Becker, PhD1, Jessica Weaver, Ph.D.1 1Arizona State University

  • 8:45 AM. 125. Immunomodulatory microporous annealed particle hydrogel scaffolds to prevent allogeneic islet rejection and facilitate vascularization in extrahepatic sites.Christopher Spencer, MS1, Adrienne Widener1, Cameron Manson1, Jessie Barra1, Holger Russ1, Edward Phelps1 1University of Florida

  • 9:00 AM. 126. Dual-Targeting Lipid Nanoparticles for Gene Delivery to Pancreatic β Cells.Di Yu1, Yining Zhu, PhD1, Leonardo Cheng1, Gene Weng1, Arturo Roca-Rivada, PhD2, Decio Eizirik, PhD2, Hai-Quan Mao, PhD1 1Johns Hopkins University, 2Université Libre de Bruxelles

  • 9:15 AM. 127. Discovering Core Immunobiology in Indirect Rejection of Encapsulated Islet Grafts for Type 1 Diabetes Treatment.Victor Quiroz, B.A.1, Alexandra Gorham, B.A.1, Joshua Doloff, Ph.D.1 1Johns Hopkins University

  • 9:30 AM. 128. Modulating PD-L1 Presentation through Polymer Chain Length to Drive T Cell Tolerance in Islet Transplantation.Nicole Racca1, Jinhua Sun1, Jean-Pierre Pierantoni1, Esma Yolcu2, Haval Shirwan, Professor2, Maria Coronel, PhD1 1University of Michigan, 2University of Missouri

  • 9:45 AM. 129. Engineering FRESH 3D Bioprinted Islet-Like Constructs with Immunomodulatory Cell Factories.Ezgi Bakirci1, Katrin Vilinsky1, Cassidy Hart, MD2, Dilrasbonu Vohidova2, Andrew R Hudson1, Daniel Shiwarski, PhD3, Omid Veiseh, PhD2, Adam W. Feinberg, PhD1 1Carnegie Mellon University, 2Rice University, 3University of Pittsburgh