Project description
A new platform assessing diabetes treatment
Finding an effective diabetes treatment is not easy. The challenge lies in the inability to assess beta-cell function and survival non-invasively and at single-cell resolution in living organisms. Traditional methods lack the necessary precision, and invasiveness often compromises results. In this context, the ERC-funded SILORGS project will address this issue by transplanting genetically engineered sensor islet organoids into the eyes of mice. Specifically, researchers enable microscopic imaging through the cornea, offering a natural window into beta-cell activity. These organoids, responsive to diabetic conditions, allow longitudinal monitoring of glucose responsiveness, Ca2+ handling, beta-cell mass, and proliferation. The project aims to establish a robust in vivo imaging platform for early validation of potential diabetes treatments.
Objective
To develop new drugs for treatment of diabetes, there is an immediate need for an in vivo approach allowing the assessment of β-cell function and survival in the living organism non-invasively, longitudinally and at single-cell resolution. We therefore transplant genetically engineered sensor islet organoids into the anterior chamber of the eye of mice for functional microscopic imaging. Using the cornea as a natural body-window, following their engraftment various aspects of β-cell function and survival can be readily imaged in these organoids. Functional studies demonstrate that engrafted islet organoids in the eye respond to the diabetic milieu of diabetic mouse models. We have extensively in vitro tested fluorescent biosensors that reflect key-events in β-cell function and survival. Following intraocular transplantation of mouse and human islet organoids expressing biosensors in their β-cells into healthy or diabetic mice, they will allow non-invasive, longitudinal in vivo monitoring of 1) glucose responsiveness, 2) Ca2+ handling, 3) functional β-cell mass, and 4) proliferation. Based on the in vitro tested biosensors, the major objective is to establish a robust pharma-industry in vivo imaging platform for validating newly developed diabetes treatment lead-compounds in early drug development. This screening service shall be performed on a commercial basis. The milestone of this proposal, to be achieved within 18 months, is the validation of the sensor islet organoid-based in vivo platform for testing the effects of new potential diabetes medicines on human β-cell function and survival in normal and diabetic mice.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsbiosensors
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineendocrinologydiabetes
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineophthalmology
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicinetransplantation
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Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept GrantsHost institution
17177 Stockholm
Sweden