An upcoming event will outline a new treatment on the horizon for the 140,000 diabetics in Australia who rely on insulin for survival.
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Researchers are building a 3D printer that can print insulin producing cells which they claim could ultimately cure type-one diabetes.
This research is being featured at an event close to the Kiama community’s heart – a celebration of bionics research inspired by the late Bill Wheeler.
Former Kiama resident Mr Wheeler will be honoured at an annual symposium.
Mr Wheeler died from cancer in 2007. He devoted time to Kiama Rotary, and took a keen interest in bionics research at the University of Wollongong.
The ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science is developing the 3D printer, which can print insulin-producing islet cells for transplant.
Collaborator, and renowned transplant physician, Professor Toby Coates from the University of Adelaide said it’s a new take on an existing treatment which is available for patients with severe type-one diabetes.
Prof Coates will be the keynote speaker at the annual Bill Wheeler Symposium, taking place at 5pm on Friday, November 11 at UOW’s Innovation Campus.
Prof Coates is part of the long-standing collaboration with the Innovation Campus to develop the printer.
“We are already treating patients with severe or unstable diabetes by transplanting donor islet cells which can restore their capacity to produce insulin and regulate blood sugar levels,” Prof Coates said.
The success of this treatment relies on the availability of donor islet cells, as well as the patient’s immune response to the new cells.
“Our goal is to use the patient’s own cells to grow the islet cells they need to produce insulin, solving the problem of donor rejection and the need for additional medication which has side effects,” Prof Coates said.
The first step for the team has been to work with donor islet cells.
“Already, we have printed an ink which contains donor islet cells around nanoparticles which contain immuno-suppressant drugs,” Prof Coates said.
“This is an exciting development as it demonstrates we can put all the required cells next to each other in the right order, and combine it with factors to improve the immune response.”
While islet transplantation is currently available to diabetics with a condition which prevents them from feeling an oncoming hypo, the new approach could open it up to more patients.
Each year, Kiama Rotary donates a $2000 travel prize in Mr Wheeler’s name to one of the University of Wollongong’s bionics students.
