University of Utah‘s Danny Chou has created Ins-PBA-F, a “smart” insulin which automatically adjusted blood sugar in mice with type 1 diabetes. In a recent study, the insulin worked for 14 hours. The team believes that it could be used in humans, which will require further research.
Ins-PBA-F consists of a long-acting insulin derivative with a chemical component called phenylboronic acid added to one end. It works by binding to serum proteins that circulate in the bloodstream, blocking activity. When blood sugar levels rise, glucose sugars bind to PBA, prompting the release of Ins-PBA-F. Chou summarized, “Basically, we put a ‘glucose sensor’ on the regular insulin molecule so that the modified insulin could sense glucose.”
Wearable Tech + Digital Health NYC 2015 – June 30 @ New York Academy of Sciences