For several years many research trials have tested implanting pancreatic cells into people with type 1 diabetes. While these transplants have shown some effectiveness in producing insulin, their success has been limited because the patient’s immune system attacks the transplanted cells. This means that most patients will eventually need insulin injections again. Now a new system is being tested that encases pancreatic cells in a flexible membrane to be implanted under the skin. Insulin and blood sugar can pass through the membrane while immune system cells are kept out. Read more