Research Funded by Quantum Grant Program

The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine was awarded $3.2 million over three years by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, part of the National Institutes of Health, for its project to develop a new source of insulin secreting cells.

The Quantum Grant program recognizes “potentially high-impact, innovative technologies to advance health care.” The program’s goal is to make a profound (quantum level) advance in health care by funding projects that will develop new technologies and modalities for the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease.

WFIRM scientists are working to develop a new source of insulin secreting cells as a replacement strategy for existing treatments. Transplantation of pancreatic islets to restore insulin producing cells is promising; however, the donor pancreata are in short supply and do not meet medical needs. The development of tissue engineered islets would provide a new source of insulin-producing cells and help realize the full potential of cell therapy for diabetes.