Based in Chicago at the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Services, the Chicago Diabetes Project is a collection of scientists, researchers, physicians and surgeons spanning the globe who have a two-fold mission to cure diabetes. First, we are performing islet cell transplants on Type 1 diabetic patients as part of a Phase 3 clinical trial being conducted by the Clinical Islet Transplantation Consortium. Second, our researchers across the world are making these transplants safer and more effective by researching cell encapsulation, which may help patients avoid the immunosuppressant drugs necessary after a transplant. We are also looking into cell regenesis, which will provide new islet cell sources and eventually eliminate the need for donor-cell transplants. The Chicago Diabetes Project is a multi-national interdisciplinary collaboration funded entirely by foundations and individual donors. We are working to help diabetics live longer, healthier lives.
