cell-replacement
Cell replacement in plant science refers to the processes by which plants regenerate or substitute damaged, aged, or lost cells within their tissues and organs. Unlike animals, plants retain populations of undifferentiated meristematic cells throughout their lives, enabling robust cell turnover and repair in roots, shoots, and other structures. Understanding these mechanisms is vital for improving crop resilience, engineering plants with enhanced regenerative capacity, and developing tissue culture and transformation techniques.
open_in_new WikipediaPubMed · 2026-04-23
Researchers review how CRISPR gene editing and gene therapy could cure Type 1 Diabetes by regrowing insulin-producing cells and retraining the immune system to stop attacking them, summarizing five ongoing clinical trials and the key hurdles still to overcome.
Five active clinical trials (including NCT03162237 and NCT06938334) are testing CRISPR-edited cell replacement and immune-modulation strategies, with early-phase data confirming feasibility and acceptable safety profiles.
Two main genetic targets — PD-L1 (immune checkpoint) and FOXP3 (regulatory T-cell master gene) — are being used to suppress the autoimmune attack without broadly disabling the immune system.
Critical unresolved risks include CRISPR off-target edits, insertional mutagenesis from viral gene delivery, and infection/rejection concerns tied to pig-to-human (xenotransplantation) cell sources.