Brayman Lab

The Brayman Lab is currently focused on polyclonal Immunoglobulin M and Adenosine A2A Receptor (A2AR) agonist therapies as cures for type 1 diabetes and interventions to promote longitudinal islet transplantation outcomes. The above immunomodulating therapies are also being studied as a treatment for COVID-19. The use of Microporous Annealed Particle (MAP) scaffolds to enhance durable islet graft survival is another project that has gained momentum. An exciting project with significant translational potential involves the application of Lacritin peptides to induce insulin-producing beta cell proliferation and promote long-term islet transplantation durability.  

Islet transplantation is a minimally-invasive procedure that allows the replacement of the endocrine function of the pancreas only. Dr. Brayman is responsible for developing and establishing the Islet Isolation GMP Facility at UVA and has overseen the allo- and auto-transplantation of islets in more than 20 recipients. The Islet Transplant Program, headed by Dr. Brayman, uses an FDA-approved Human Islet Isolation class 10,000 GMP Facility at UVA for the isolation of clinical-grade pancreatic islets for transplants and currently participates with the NIH-sponsored Collaborative Islet Transplant Registry (CITR). Currently, there are two Human Islet isolation facilities at UVA, one at the Aurbach MR Building at Fontaine Medical Research Park, and the other at Pinn Hall. Both facilities provide human islets for transplantation and research, the only program of its kind in Virginia. 

Kenneth Brayman, Professor

Preeti Chhabra, Assistant Professor

Mingyang Ma, Graduate Research Student