Mohamed bin Zayed offers a grant to the Harvard Stem Cell Institute to support type XNUMX diabetes research

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, presented a grant to the Harvard Stem Cell Institute to support and develop research related to genetic modification to treat type XNUMX diabetes by replacing beta cells in the pancreas.

   The support provided to the Harvard Stem Cell Institute comes within the framework of the "Reaching the Last Mile Initiative", which is based on strengthening relationships with stakeholders in order to achieve effective and sustainable change. The initiative derives its impetus from the belief in the importance of building a future that ensures stability and enhances human dignity and includes all.

    His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's initiative to support global health projects "Reaching the Last Mile" works to combat diseases and strengthen health systems. In addition to supporting the development of innovative research and technology to encourage progress in eradicating disease.

   According to the World Health Organization, about 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, and the disease causes about 1.6 million direct deaths annually. The past decades have witnessed a steady increase in the number of infections and the prevalence of diabetes.

   His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, said: "The United Arab Emirates is keen to strengthen cooperation and concerted efforts to support global health. This support represents the Harvard Stem Cell Institute an opportunity to join its mission to achieve a great achievement in the field of Fighting type XNUMX diabetes patients.

    His Highness stressed that the country is aware of the importance of innovation in finding new solutions to urgent issues as part of its commitment to support global health issues and improve the lives of people around the world.

   Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Douglas Melton, who holds the Zander Professorship in Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard University and co-director of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, said: “The promising results we have seen in islet cell-derived stem cell research hold the potential for a treatment that transforms stem cell-derived cells. The lifelong efforts of students and our team at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute to convert human pluripotent stem cells into insulin-producing beta cells, thus producing an inexhaustible supply of cultured cells.

   He added: “The biotechnology industry has made significant progress in this area for the manufacture of cells and the testing of the results in clinical trials, and the first results announced recently are very promising. The next challenge we now face is to protect the transplanted beta cells from immune system rejection. for the recipient. If our strategies are successful, beta-cell therapy will become the standard treatment for patients with diabetes in the future.”

   The partnership also provides the opportunity for two Emirati researchers to join the Douglas Melton Laboratory to contribute to research and work on developing an innovative treatment for type XNUMX diabetes.

   For her part, Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Executive Director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Program at the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center, said: The opportunity for two nationals to join the Milton Laboratory as research fellows will contribute to a tremendous cultural and scientific enrichment for all participants.. This cooperation also provides a valuable opportunity for fellows participating in the This research is in terms of gaining experience, science and knowledge through their work in the laboratory under the supervision of a distinguished scientific researcher.. We look forward to nominating the best cadres from our talented scientific team and we hope that their participation will contribute to accelerating research and finding an effective treatment for type XNUMX diabetes.”

   Type XNUMX diabetes is caused by a lack of insulin-producing beta cells, which are destroyed by the immune system by mechanisms that are still unknown. Although patients can live with diabetes, there is currently no cure for it. The grant presented by His Highness will support the first major project of manufacturing beta cells capable of evading immune attack. The project will later include the identification of immune cells responsible for rejecting beta cells derived from transplanted stem cells, which will allow identification of immune cells that initiate and continue the immune attack and find A mechanism to eliminate them.. The project also includes the development of stem cell models similar to those found in pockets in the pancreas called “islands” to be transplanted into humans.. This ambitious program will allow the discarded islet cells to continue and work for years after being transplanted into diabetic patients, which will contribute to their treatment of disease. .

   The research program is headed by the JDRF Charitable Organization - JDRF, a leading global organization that funds type 2021 diabetes research, which launched in XNUMX the JDRF Center of Excellence in the New England Territory, an institutional collaboration between senior The experts in Massachusetts.

    JDRF works with strategic partners around the world to accelerate research through initiatives that stimulate collaboration and innovation, harness resources, and engage emerging talent. Joint Centers of Excellence advance these efforts, and form a core focus of JDRF’s overall strategy. RF” in finding an effective treatment for type XNUMX diabetes.

    “Therapeutic beta-cell replacement therapy is at the forefront of possible treatments for type XNUMX diabetes and the leading program of the JDRF,” said Esther Letters, associate vice president of research at JDRF.

   She appreciated the support provided by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for scientific research. "We welcome new colleagues in the field of research and look forward to developing advanced strategies to protect insulin-producing cells with high functions from immune rejection," she said.

   It is noteworthy that on the occasion of the announcement of this cooperation, a virtual symposium will be held today, highlighting the ongoing efforts supported by the grant and the importance of research fellowships in the scientific system. Dr. Milton will participate in the symposium, along with representatives from the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center.