Dr. Alice Tomei: Protective Coatings

At the Diabetes Research Institute, the primary focus of Alice Tomei, PhD's research is in engineering immunoprotection of islet transplants via islet immunoisolation and local immunomodulation. Specifically, she is developing platforms and technologies for improving cell encapsulation through novel conformal coating. Her strategies are focused on mitigating rejection and the recurrence of autoimmunity in patients with type 1 diabetes. She is also investigating and engineering methods to locally manipulate the immunological balance to establish tolerance. These strategies are focused on mitigating both allo and xeno-rejection and the recurrence of autoimmunity in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.