Scientists grow three-dimensional pancreatic cell clusters

Scientists have grown three-dimensional clusters of pancreatic cells in a laboratory that live longer and secrete more insulin than single cells, according to a study published in the journal Tissue Engineering. These new cells could be useful in studying pancreatic diseases and for testing new therapies. “Finding a solution for the culturing and final transplantation of pancreatic cells will be an enormous breakthrough for the treatment of diabetes," John Jansen, a co-editor-in-chief of the part of the journal in which the study appears, said in a press release. Researchers used photolithography to develop a method of creating microwell cell culture environments that support the formation of the three-dimensional clusters and control their size. They are then able to remove the cell clusters from the microwells and encapsulate them in hydrogels for testing or implantation.