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Smart Insulin

Context

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

About Smart insulin

  • 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.

About 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.

About Diabetes

  • 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.

Types of Diabetes

  • 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.

These women and possibly their children are also at increased risk of type 2 diabetes in the future.

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About the Author
Piyush
Piyush
Author

Greetings! I'm Piyush, a content writer at StudyIQ. I specialize in creating enlightening content focused on UPSC and State PSC exams. Let's embark on a journey of discovery, where we unravel the intricacies of these exams and transform aspirations into triumphant achievements together!