In this episode of The Stem Cell Report, Martin Pera is joined by Douglas Melton, a pioneer in the use of stem cell-based transplants to treat Type 1 diabetes, and Nayara Leite, a former postdoc in the Melton laboratory who now works for Vertex Pharmaceuticals, one of the companies currently testing stem cell-derived transplants for diabetes in clinical trials. Drs. Melton and Leite will talk about the concepts and issues around stem cell-based treatments for diabetes and their new paper that looks at ways to enhance the survival and function of the insulin producing islets.

Guests
Douglas Melton, PhD, Harvard University 
Nayara Leite, PhD, Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Host
Martin Pera, PhD – Editor-in-Chief, Stem Cell Reports and The Jackson Laboratory
Twitter: @martinperaJAX

Read Their Paper
Genetic manipulation of stress pathways can protect stem-cell-derived islets from apoptosis in vitro

About Stem Cell Reports
Stem Cell Reports is the Open Access journal of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) for communicating basic discoveries in stem cell research, in addition to translational and clinical studies. Stem Cell Reports focuses on original research with conceptual or practical advances that are of broad interest to stem cell biologists and clinicians.
Twitter: @StemCellReports

About ISSCR
With nearly 4,000 members from more than 65 countries, the International Society for Stem Cell Research is the preeminent global, cross-disciplinary, science-based organization dedicated to stem cell research and its translation to the clinic. The ISSCR mission is to promote excellence in stem cell science and applications to human health.
Twitter: @ISSCR

Acknowledgement

ISSCR Staff
Keith Alm, Chief Executive Officer
Bethany Almon, Senior Manager of Integrated Marketing
Yvonne Fisher, Managing Editor, Stem Cell Reports
Kym Kilbourne, Director of Media and Strategic Communications
Jack Mosher, Scientific Advisor

Voice Work
Ben Snitkoff

Music
@Konovalov