Islet cells prepared from stem cells

摘要

The invention discloses a method for producing pancreatic islet cells from embryonic stem cells, such as primate pluripotent stem cells. The islet cells are characterised in that they produce at least one of insulin, glucagons, somatostatin or a pancreatic polypeptide Differentiation is promoted to wards endoderm cells using islet cell differentiation factors including nicotinamide. Also claimed are methods of producing insulin, screening methods for modulators and devices for generating such islet cells. Pharmaceutical preparations and methods of treatment, especially of type 1 diabetes are claimed.