Professor Dr. Martin Fussenegger is an expert in „Biosystems Science and Engineering“ at ETH (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) Zurich and a developer of new medicines. He recently made a breakthrough in the field of insulin production using wearables. In the animal model on mice, he and his team have already had their first successes:
The ETH scientists have developed an innovative so-called gene switch that can change the behavior of cells when triggered by green light. With the help of simple smartwatches and their technology, Fussenegger can use green light to set a molecular system in motion that, when implanted in humans, stimulates the production of insulin as soon as the green light hits the skin of the person concerned. The light source thus has the ability to control genes in such a way that cells react with change. However, for the research in biotechnology and bioengineering, they used human embryonic kidney cells (HEK), which they modified in such a way that the modified gene occupation decides on the production of insulin.
The complicated and innovative system is supposed to work even better with pulsed light so that the gene network reacts like a railway coupler. In HEK cells, molecular complexes are built into the membrane for this purpose, coupled with a counterpart. Greenlight ensures that the piece protruding into the cell interior is uncoupled and transported into the cell nucleus. A gene is then activated there that triggers insulin production. In the opposite case, when the light is extinguished, the detached piece anchors itself again with the counterpart in the membrane, and insulin production ceases.
However, the „running app“ technology is still in its infancy in this area. It is expected that the system will be used in ten years at the earliest because first, it has to be tested with the affected diabetes patients‘ own cells in clinical phases before the new LED system of modern sports watches can be used in this way. For many people with diabetes, the standard software could improve their quality of life, Martin Fussenegger believes.
Source: www.e-health.com.de