Replacement of β-cells by donor pancreas (transplantation or cell therapy may be a solution to a number of problems associated with the treatment of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. The article discusses the problems of transplantation of the pancreas and islet cells, the role of the extracellular matrix in maintaining the functional activity and survival of β-cells of the islets of the pancreas. Data on possible sources of insulin-producing cells and the evolution of transplantation methods are presented. The article discusses the features of biomaterials for bioengineered scaffolds aimed at protecting the graft from the recipient’s immune reactions, facilitating the exchange of vital molecules, improving the viability and metabolic activity of islet cells. The analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of encapsulating devices of various sizes, possible solutions to the issue of graft vascularization, as well as the prospects for the use of 3D-bioprinting of the pancreas.

Keywords: bioprinting, hydrogels, bioengineering scaffolds, bioengineering, pancreas transplantation, cell therapy, diabetes mellitus