 Alginate-based micro-encapsulation systems are being explored as a potential alternative for insulin therapy for treating type 1 diabetes. Alginate has been identified as a suitable material for encapsulating islets due to its biocompatibility and ability to protect against immune rejection. However, there are several challenges that must be overcome before this approach can be used in humans. These include the need for highly pure alginate, the lack of predictive pre-clinical models, and the fact that non-human primates may not be predictive of human immune responses. Researchers are working to address these challenges by developing more efficient production methods, creating better animal models, and understanding the mechanisms behind immune reactions in humans. This article was authored by Janaro Alberto Paredes Juarez, Milica E. Spasojevic, Marieke Faas, and others.