The prospect of using transplants derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to reverse Type I diabetes has come a step closer with the news that the technique seems to work in mice, according to scientists from San Diego based Novocell.

The Novocell team grew hESCs in the lab until they differentiated into insulin-producing islet cells. The cells were injected into the abdomens or backs of mice whose own islet cells had been destroyed. The transplanted cells produced insulin.