Scientists are hopeful that “smart” insulin which is undergoing trial could revolutionize the way diabetes is managed.
Instead of repeated injections throughout the day to keep blood sugar in check, a single dose of “long-acting smart insulin” would keep circulating in the body and turn on when needed. It has an extra set of molecules stuck on the end that binds it to proteins that circulate in the bloodstream. When blood sugar rises, glucose locks on to the smart insulin and tells it to get to work, BBC news website reported.
Animal studies show the technology appears to work . Scientists plan to move to human trials soon, PNAS journal reports. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) has been funding work into smart insulin. JDRF is a major charitable organization dedicated to funding type 1 diabetes research (T1D).
