Emerging Techniques in Cell Replacement Therapy for Pancreatic Disease Presented by the ISCT Gastrointestinal Committee
Join us for an insightful webinar on the "Emerging Techniques in Cell Replacement Therapy for Pancreatic Diseases." This session will dive deep into cutting-edge methodologies revolutionizing pancreatic disease treatments. Highlighted topics include state-of-the-art hPSC protocols to derive beta-like cells—a promising avenue in regenerative medicine. Exploring innovative horizons, the webinar will also feature discussions on Decellularized Extracellular Matrix (ECM) used in the bioengineering of islets. Discover the significance of ECM in recreating a nurturing environment for islet development and functionality. Additionally, explore the frontiers of islet transplantation sites, and their impact on successful transplantation outcomes. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to expand your knowledge and understanding of these ground-breaking approaches in the field of pancreatic disease management.
The webinar will provide an overview and discussion of cutting-edge cell replacement therapies for diabetes and will address the following topics:
Chair:
Vincenzo Cardinale, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Sapienza University of Rome
Italy
Speakers:
Adriana Migliorini, PhD
Senior Post-Doctoral fellowMcEwen Stem Cell InstituteToronto General Hospital Research CenterUniversity Health NetworkCanada
Dr. Adriana Migliorini is a senior postdoctoral fellow at the McEwen Stem Cell Institute, UNH Toronto. She studied Biotechnology in Italy and did her Ph.D. in Human Biology, at the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, Germany. In 2018, she was awarded an advanced postdoctoral fellowship from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Her research focuses on the developmental biology of the pancreas as well as on developing protocols to generate stem cells-derived insulin cells to transplant in diabetic patients.
Amish Asthana, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Surgery and Biomedical EngineeringWake Forest Institute for Regenerative MedicineWake Forest School of MedicineUSA
Dr. Amish Asthana is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine in North Carolina, USA. He is a biological engineer, with extensive training and experience in 3D tissue and human islet culture, microfabrication, and biomaterial development and characterization. His current research focuses on the development of tissue engineering and regenerative strategies to improve clinical treatments for diseases of the endocrine pancreas and kidney. These strategies include the development of novel biomimetic platforms such as organ-on-a chip and 3D organoid cultures for disease modeling and drug discovery, the use 3D bioprinting for tissue and organ biofabrication, and development of stem cell therapies to restore normal function to diseased tissues.
Hongjun Wang, PhD
ProfessorMedical University of South Carolina (MUSC)USA
Dr. Wang’s research is focused on exploring novel approaches for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis and type 1 diabetes. Her early studies involved in developing transgenic pigs that could be used in xenotransplantation. Her research at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School focused on preventing immune rejection of islet grafts after transplantation into diabetic recipients with protective molecules, including heme oxygenase-1 and carbon. She is now the Scientific Director for the Center for Cellular Therapy at MUSC and perform translational research focused on stem cell therapies and human islet transplantation for patients with chronic pancreatitis and type 1 diabetes. She is also leading multi-disciplinary teams to perform clinical trials using stem cell therapy and other approaches.