RECELLULARIZATION: GROWING PANCREATIC BETA CELLS ON Leaf SCAFFOLDS

Tissue engineering seeks to overcome the donor organ shortage for diabetes treatment. We present a novel approach using decellularized plant scaffolds as a biological matrix for cultivating pancreatic beta cells. Spinach leaves were decellularized to create 3D cellulose scaffolds featuring a natural, perfusable vascular network. Upon seeding with insulin producing beta cells, these plant-based structures supported robust cell growth and, crucially, restored glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. The plant's intrinsic vascular design enabled efficient nutrient delivery, addressing a key challenge in engineering thick tissues. This work demonstrates that recellularized plant scaffolds provide a pro-functionality niche for beta cells, offering a scalable, inexpensive, and ethically favorable platform for regenerative medicine strategies in diabetes.