Lorenzo Piemonti, M.D., is Professor of Endocrinology at the University of Vita-Salute San Raffaele. He specializes in the field of diabetes and pancreatology, with a particular focus on diabetes therapy and pathophysiology, regenerative medicine, and pancreatic cancer. Dr. Piemonti has extensive experience and expertise in beta cell replacement, immune tolerance induction strategies, dendritic cell biology, and stem cells. His research contributions have significantly advanced our understanding of these areas and their implications for diabetes management. Jon S Odorico, M.D., is a distinguished Professor of Surgery in the Section of Kidney and Pancreas Surgery and Division of Transplantation at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. He is renowned for his expertise in transplantation, including islet transplantation and pancreatology. Dr. Odorico's research and clinical work have made substantial contributions to the field, particularly in the area of pancreatic islet transplantation and its role in treating diabetes. Timothy Kieffer, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences at the University of British Columbia. His research focuses on understanding the physiology of pancreatic beta cells and developing innovative approaches for beta cell replacement therapy. Dr. Kieffer's expertise in beta cell biology and regenerative medicine has significantly contributed to the advancement of diabetes research and the development of potential treatments for diabetes. Valeria Sordi, Ph.D., serves as a Group Leader in Beta Cell Differentiation in the Diabetes Research Institute at IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele. Her research is centered on the differentiation of beta cells and their significance in diabetes treatment. Dr. Sordi's work contributes to the development of strategies for beta cell replacement and regeneration, with the aim of improving outcomes for individuals with diabetes. Eelco de Koning, M.D., Ph.D., is a Professor of Diabetology at the Leiden University Medical Center. His expertise spans various aspects of diabetes, including islet transplantation and beta cell replacement therapy. Dr. de Koning's research and clinical experience have significantly advanced our knowledge of diabetes management and treatment options, with a focus on optimizing outcomes for patients with diabetes. These authors, with their specialized knowledge and extensive contributions in the field of diabetes and pancreatology, bring invaluable expertise to the book. Their diverse backgrounds and expertise ensure a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach, enhancing the scientific rigor and impact of the research.

• Mimicking pancreas development with human pluripotent stem cells.- Pancreatic cell fate specification: insights into developmental mechanisms and their application for lineage reprogramming.- The evolution of methods for in vitro differentiation of stem cell derived islets.- Signaling pathways that govern the formation, expansion and maturation of pancreatic progenitors.- Building islets from the ground up using stem cells.- Pancreatic progenitor proliferation.- Selecting biocompatible biomaterials for stem cell derived islet transplantation.- Scaffolds for encapsulation of stem-cell-derived β cells.- 3d printing of new islets.- Biological scaffolds and hydrogels in islet organoids.- 3-D organoids of mesenchymal stromal and pancreatic islet cells.- Bioengineered insulin producing endocrine tissues.- Bioactive materials for cell encapsulation.- Strategies to boost islet graft oxygenation.- Vascularizing device strategies.- Immunogenicity of stem cell derived islets.- Immune evasive stemcell islets.- Encapsulation of stem cell-derived islets: recent progress.- Islet immunoengineering.- Stem cell genome editing tools.- Selection of SC-derived pancreatic progenitors and β cell.- Considerations pertaining to implant sites for cell-based insulin replacement.- Safety switches in pluripotent stem cells.- Safety: teratoma risk.- Stem cell derived islets transplantation in non-human primates.- Social / Legal / Ethical issues pertaining to use of pluripotent stem cells.- Cost-effectiveness considerations for stem cell derived islet replacement therapy.- Lessons from clinical trials of islet cell replacement.- Scale up and Biomanufacturing of Stem Cell- derived Islets.- Minimal SC-β cell properties for transplantation in diabetic patients.- Autologous stem cell islets for patients with chronic pancreatitis and diabetes.- Clinical Trials.- Modeling monogenic diabetes with stem cells.- Stem and progenitor cells in pancreas development, regeneration and drug screening.