#  Updates on cell therapy research at HSCI 

 





June 21, 2018

 

 

###  *Advances in engineering blood cells, treating diabetes, regenerating joints, and growing organs*

 On May 31, 2018, Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) faculty members shared their research updates at the Harvard Medical School (HMS) [Alumni Reunion symposium](https://hms.harvard.edu/news/using-cells-medicine). Their work showcased the breadth of research being conducted across the HSCI network, both at Harvard University and its affiliated hospitals.

   ![HSCI faculty at HMS symposium 2018](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/hsci/files/hms_symposium_2018.jpg?itok=2OK3OuC8) 

 

Left to right: HSCI faculty Douglas Melton, George Daley, Harald Ott, and April Craft, pictured with A. W. Karchmer, chair of Alumni Relations at HMS. Photo by Suzi Camarata Ball/HMS. HSCI faculty highlights from the symposium:

- George Daley, M.D. from HMS talked about his laboratory’s focus on creating a **universal donor blood stem cell** that would not trigger immune system attacks in patients with blood diseases such as leukemia.
- Douglas Melton, Ph.D. from the Harvard Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology talked about his laboratory’s successful transformation of human stem cells into **insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells** that could one day be used to treat diabetes. Melton said he believes that “it’s possible to change the course of diabetes by using cells rather than insulin.”
- April Craft, Ph.D. from Boston Children’s Hospital discussed engineering stem cells to **repair damaged and degenerating cartilage**. Using developmental biology as a guide, Craft’s laboratory is coaxing stem cells to convert into cartilage cells.
- Harald Ott, M.D. from Massachusetts General Hospital talked about **regenerating whole organs** for transplantation. His laboratory is using stem cells that provide “an unlimited supply of personalized building blocks for these tissues.”

 Read the full news story, “[Using Cells as Medicine](https://hms.harvard.edu/news/using-cells-medicine),” on the Harvard Medical School website.



 

 

 



 

 See also:- [ Research Update ](/news-type/research-update)
- [ Bioengineering ](/related-news-topic/bioengineering)
- [ Blood Diseases ](/related-news-topic/blood-diseases)
- [ Diabetes ](/related-news-topic/diabetes)
- [ Immunology ](/related-news-topic/immunology)
- [ 2018 ](/year/2018)
 
 

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