Dresden University Hospital is currently the only institution in Germany that is able and authorized to transplant islet cells. In a complex process, the hormone-producing islet cells, including the vital insulin-producing beta cells, are removed from the healthy donor pancreas. After isolation of these cell clusters and purification, they are finally transplanted into the recipient's liver. However, barriers to the widespread use of this diabetes treatment are the low willingness to donate organs and the need for lifelong suppression of the immune system of affected people with medication to prevent organ rejection. 

For this reason, DZD researchers are working on alternatives. Instead of a donor organ, an artificial pancreas might take over insulin production in the future. The islet cells are protected from contact with the body's own immune cells by a Teflon membrane. However, the exchange of hormones and nutrients remains unhindered. Following an initial successful test, further clinical studies at the Dresden hospital are now to confirm the long-term functionality of the artificial pancreas.