Production of Stem Cells for the Generation of Pancreatic Cells

The goal of this interventional study is to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from somatic cells and differentiate them into insulin-producing β cells in patients with metabolic and genetic pancreatic diseases and in healthy controls. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Can somatic cells from healthy individuals and patients with diabetes be successfully reprogrammed into iPSCs?

Can these iPSCs be differentiated into functional insulin-producing β cells suitable for studying disease mechanisms and developing cell-based therapies?

Participants will provide a single biological sample (either a 3 mm skin punch biopsy, a blood sample, or a urine sample) collected under sterile conditions. The samples will be used to derive somatic cells, which will then be reprogrammed into iPSCs and differentiated into β cells for laboratory analyses.

Participants will:

Undergo a one-time sample collection (skin biopsy, blood draw, or urine collection) at Ospedale San Raffaele

Receive standard post-procedure care (if applicable)

This research aims to improve understanding of β cell function and dysfunction in diabetes and to advance personalized regenerative therapies for β cell replacement.