Site Menu
Search Close Search
Search Close Search
Page Menu

Michael A. Brehm, PhD

  • Co-Director, Diabetes Center of Excellence

  • Professor of Molecular Medicine, The Harvey A. Shultz Chair in Diabetes

  • Co-Director, UMass Chan Humanized Mouse Core

Dr. Brehm specializes in novel preclinical models that simulate human immune responses to investigate approaches for downregulating and activating the human immune system in the treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and cancer. His laboratory examines human beta cells from individuals with T1D in vivo as they interact with intact immune systems from those same donors. The ultimate goal is to understand the etiology and pathogenesis of autoimmune T1D to develop new therapies or drugs for personalized medicine.

Michael Brehm working in the lab

Lab News

  • Image of a beta cell

    Dr. Brehm Co-Authors Roadmap for Stem Cell Therapies

    The review article outlines safety and manufacturing standards for advancing stem cell-derived islet therapies for type 1 diabetes to clinical trials.

    Read more
  • Mina Seedhom, PhD

    Researcher Spotlight: Mina Seedhom - Senior Research Scientist

    Dr. Seedhom leads studies reconstructing human T1D with stem cell-derived islets in humanized mice to observe interactions with immune cells in vivo.

    Read more
  • Dale Greiner and Michael Brehm standing together

    Michael Brehm Named UMass Chan DCOE Co-Director

    Dr. Brehm suceeds longtime mentor Dale Greiner, PhD, joining Dr. David Harlan in leading the UMass Chan Diabetes Center of Excellence.

    Read more
  • Carey Zamminetti headshot

    Lab Spotlight: Carey Zammitti - Research Associate

    Carey tests islet transplants and protective devices in preclinical humanized mouse studies as we identify ways to shield islets and beta cells from immune attack.

    Read more
  • lymphocyte cells

    Exploring CAR T Therapy Against Autoreactive T Cells

    Our humanized mouse models are testing CAR T cells designed to eliminate immune cells that attack beta cells in type 1 diabetes.

    Read more