Smart Insulin

Table of Contents

Context

Scientists have achieved a significant breakthrough in creating a “smart” insulin that reacts in real time to changes in blood sugar levels.

A team of scientists have developed an innovative insulin called NNC2215. This new insulin features an “on-and-off switch” that allows it to respond automatically to blood glucose levels.
Comprises a ring-shaped structure and a glucoside molecule which keeps the insulin inactive when the blood glucose levels are low. As glucose levels rise, it replaces the glucoside, activating the insulin.

Insulin is a hormone produced by beta cells of pancreatic islets.
It regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins by promoting absorption of glucose from blood into cells of liver, fat and skeletal muscles.
Insulin is the first protein to be chemically synthesised and produced by DNA recombinant technology.
It is on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines.

It is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas can no longer make insulin or the body cannot make good use of the produced insulin.
Over the long-term high glucose levels lead to damage to the body and failure of various organs and tissues.

Type 1 diabetes: It is a condition when the immune system destroys insulin-making cells inside pancreas called beta cells.
- The body produces very little or no insulin.
- Also known as juvenile diabetes because it is usually diagnosed in children and young people.
Type 2 diabetes: It results from the body’s ineffective use of insulin that it produces.
- More than 95% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
Gestational diabetes (GDM): It consists of high blood glucose and occurs during pregnancy.
- Women with GDM are at an increased risk of complications during pregnancy and at delivery.