Innovation and Leadership in Engineering Technologies and Therapies for Diabetes

摘要 糖尿病项目：工程技术和治疗的创新与领导（ILET^）是一个 独特的，跨学科的博士后培训计划，在细胞和组织为基础的治疗和新型胰岛素 胰岛素依赖型糖尿病（IDD）的治疗技术。缺碘症是一个严重的健康问题， 在美国和全世界有数百万人。与目前基于胰岛素注射的治疗相比， 开环胰岛素泵，新一代治疗有可能提供一个更少的侵入性， 生理和最终成本较低的血糖水平调节，可能减少长期 并发症和革新糖尿病护理。迫切需要跨学科培训， 生物工程师和生物科学家在复杂的问题，有关开发生物替代品， β细胞替代和人工胰腺，其中包括基础科学，生物工程和 转化医学 ILET^是格鲁吉亚理工学院和埃默里大学学院的联合培训项目 医学。该计划将通过为学员提供专业知识来培养该领域未来的研究专家 在推进下一代糖尿病治疗的关键领域：1）开发 新的胰岛封装和植入系统，包括新的生物材料和工艺; 2） 工程化胰岛同种异体移植物和异种移植物的免疫接受; 3）工程化非β胰岛素的能力- 分泌的生理反应细胞作为胰岛的替代品;以及4）开发新方法的能力 用于葡萄糖采样和胰岛素输送到闭环人工胰腺系统。研究性 细胞疗法的培训将专注于胰岛和其他胰岛素分泌系统的封装。 细胞;潜在自体β细胞替代物的工程;血管生成的发展 用于改善胰岛移植的水凝胶; 开发游离和包封胰岛同种异体移植物和异种移植物的免疫接受方案。 针对胰岛素输送方法的培训将侧重于微针技术的工程设计， 葡萄糖采样和胰岛素输送，包括微加工和生物材料，最终作为 闭环人工胰腺系统。 研究培训计划将包括接触糖尿病管理的临床方面 和病人护理，以及生物技术开发和商业化的工业方面。后 成功完成该计划，学员将准备进入行业的领导职位 和学术界，并开发新的，尖端的技术和治疗糖尿病，旨在改善 患者的生活质量和减轻经济负担。对糖尿病人群和整体 医疗费用。

Abstract The Diabetes Program: innovation & Leadership in Engineering Technologies and Therapies (ILET^) is a unique, cross-disciplinary postdoctoral training program in cell- and tissue-based therapies and novel insulin delivery technologies for insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD). IDD is a significant health problem affecting millions of people in the U.S and worldwide. Compared to current treatments based on insulin injections or open-loop insulin pumps, new generation therapies have the potential to provide a less invasive, more physiologic and ultimately less costly regulation of blood glucose levels, potentially reducing long-term complications and revolutionizing diabetes care. There is a critical need for cross-disciplinary training of bioengineers and bioscientists in the complex problems relating to developing living biological substitutes for beta cell replacement and the artificial pancreas, which encompass fundamental science, bioengineering and translational medicine. ILET^ is a joint training program between the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine. This program will train the future research experts in this field by providing trainees with expertise in the following areas critical to advancing the next generation therapies for diabetes: 1) the ability to develop new islet encapsulation and engraftment systems, including new biomaterials and processes; 2) the ability to engineer immune acceptance of islet allografts and xenografts; 3) the ability to engineer non-beta insulin- secreting, physiologically responsive cells as an alternative to islets; and 4) the ability to develop new methods for glucose sampling and insulin delivery towards a closed loop artificial pancreas system. Research-based training in cell-based therapies will specialize in encapsulated systems for islets and other insulin-secreting cells; the engineering of potentially autologous beta cell surrogates; the development of vasculogenic hydrogels for improved islet engraftment; methods to conduct non-invasive monitoring of islet transplants; and development of immune acceptance protocols for free and encapsulated islet allografts and xenografts. Training specific to insulin delivery methods will focus on the engineering of microneedle technologies for glucose sampling and delivery of insulin, including microfabrication and biomaterials, ultimately as part of a closed loop artificial pancreas system. The research training program will encompass exposure to the clinical aspects of diabetes management and patient care, as well as the industrial aspects of biotechnology development and commercialization. Upon successful completion of the program, trainees will be prepared to move into leadership positions in industry and academia and develop new, cutting-edge technologies and therapies for diabetics aimed at improving the quality of life of patients and reducing the economic burden .on the diabetic population and the overall healthcare costs.