Zofia Czarnecka

Dr. Zofia Czarnecka


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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10 October 2023 in Cells
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ZCZofia Czarnecka
Zofia Czarnecka
Nidheesh DadheechNidheesh Dadheech
Nidheesh Dadheech
HRHaide Razavy
Haide Razavy
RPRena Pawlick
Rena Pawlick
ASAndrew Mark James Shapiro
Andrew Mark James Shapiro
Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells. The development of the Edmonton Protocol for islet transplantation in 2000 revolutionized T1D treatment and offered a glimpse at a cure for the disease. In 2022, the 20-year follow-up findings of islet cell transplantation demonstrated the long-term safety of islet cell transplantation despite chronic immunosuppression. The Edmonton Protocol, however, remains limited by two obstacles: scarce organ donor availability and risks associated with chronic immunosuppression. To overcome these challenges, the search has begun for an alternative cell source. In 2006, pluripotency genomic factors, coined “Yamanaka Factors,” were discovered, which reprogram mature somatic cells back to their embryonic, pluripotent form (iPSC). iPSCs can then be differentiated into specialized cell types, including islet cells. This discovery has opened a gateway to a personalized medicine approach to treating diabetes, circumventing the issues of donor supply and immunosuppression. In this review, we present a brief history of allogenic islet cell transplantation from the early days of pancreatic remnant transplantation to present work on encapsulating stem cell-derived cells. We review data on long-term outcomes and the ongoing challenges of allogenic islet cell and stem cell-derived islet cell transplant.