Image credit: University of British Columbia
Dr. Timothy Kieffer is known for developing a process that derives beta cells from stem cells. This discovery opens the door to potential new treatment options for those patients living with diabetes who require continuous insulin injections or rely on scarce donor tissues.
The beta cells of the pancreatic islet cells are important for producing insulin, a hormone that helps to regulate blood sugar in the body. However, insulin cannot be effectively produced in patients living with type 1 diabetes because the beta cells are destroyed. While transplantation of pancreatic islets can help some patients living with type 1 diabetes, the method relies on donor tissues. Sourcing donor tissue for transplantations is difficult for many reasons, including limited organ donation, long wait times, and the possibility of transplant rejection. In 2014, Dr. Kieffer’s team successfully grew islet cells from stem cells (cells with the ability to become other types of cells in the body) to produce insulin. If successful in human models, this innovative approach would eliminate the need for continuous insulin injections or donor tissue transplants. It received a United States patent in 2020.
Dr. Kieffer completed his PhD in Physiology from the University of British Columbia. After completing his doctoral studies, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Molecular Endocrinology. Currently, Dr. Kieffer is a Professor in the Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences at the University of British Columbia.
Dr. Kieffer is also the Vice President of Research and co-founder of a biotechnology company called enGene. Based in Montreal, the goal of enGene is to develop gene therapies to treat various chronic diseases, including diabetes, in the clinical setting. Gene therapy involves altering genes within a patient to prevent or treat diseases in patients. The company uses non-viral gene therapy, which is a chemical or particle-based approach to modifying the genes. enGene aims to create a pill or oral formulation that can conveniently deliver insulin to patients using technology developed from the Kieffer Laboratory.
In addition to his research, Dr. Kieffer has mentored students at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels. He has published numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, and given many presentations on his work. He serves on the editorial board for the Physiological Reviews and the Canadian Journal of Diabetes. As the Diabetes Research Group Leader, Dr. Kieffer organizes presentations on recent findings in the field of diabetes for the University of British Columbia and community members. Dr. Kieffer has dedicated his research to developing innovative therapeutic approaches to finding a cure for diabetes. He continues to make significant strides as a research leader, mentor, and innovator in the field of diabetes.
— Written by Rebecca Dang