Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
insulin, glucose, β-cell diffusion analysis, polytetrafluoroethylene membranes
College
Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology
Department
Chemical Engineering
Abstract
The purpose of this project is to further understand the function of extruded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membranes in the pursuit of creating an implantable, removable pancreas device. This device would be filled with pancreas cells and automatically regulate blood sugar for patients with diabetes. Dr. Alonzo Cook’s lab is currently pursuing understanding the process of taking a patient’s own cells, reprogramming them into stem cells, and then differentiating them into pancreas cells. The device that is the end goal of this project is the main foreseen use of these differentiated pancreas cells. This project focuses on studying how essential nutrients diffuse through the ePTFE membrane as well as whether the cells themselves can migrate across.
Recommended Citation
Usevitch, Matthew and Cook, Alonzo
(2017)
"Insulin, Glucose, and β-cell Diffusion Analysis,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2017:
Iss.
1, Article 13.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2017/iss1/13