ALPCO’s Winter 2021 Diabetes Research Travel Grant Recipient
Salem, NH, April 14, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Today ALPCO announced Xi Wang, a PhD candidate at Cornell University, as the latest recipient of its Diabetes Research Travel Grant. Xi’s research focuses on the development of a transplantable encapsulation device for the safe delivery of functional, insulin-producing beta cells. She developed a tubular, Nanofiber Integrated Cell Encapsulation (NICE) device with nanofibrous skin and a hydrogel core.
This device design successfully prevented cell penetration or escape and protected stem cell-derived β (SC-β) cells from immune attack, supporting cell function and insulin production. The encapsulated SC-β cells reversed diabetes immediately following transplantation and maintained proper function for up to 120 days in immunodeficient mice and up to two months in immunocompetent mice. As a proof of concept, the scalability and retrievability of the device containing human SC-β cells was demonstrated in a canine model through a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure.
“Ms. Wang’s innovative research embodies the mission of our grant and helps extend our commitment to improving the quality of life for people with diabetes,” expresses Sean Conley, ALPCO’s president and CEO. “We are very pleased to award Xi with our sixth Diabetes Research Travel Grant.” Xi’s work suggests the potential for a new therapeutic approach in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. The travel award will allow Xi to present her findings at a relevant diabetes conference within the next 18 months.
The Diabetes Research Travel Grant was created by ALPCO to help advance progressive diabetes and obesity research by graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-stage investigators. Through this program, ALPCO continues to stimulate and reward research applicable to the investigation and potential development of diabetes and obesity treatments, therapies and/or innovations. To learn more about the Diabetes Research Travel Grant program, including eligibility, criteria and deadlines, visit our page here.