Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed an innovative gene switch that could revolutionize diabetes treatment. Unlike traditional insulin injections, which lack the precision of the body’s natural regulation, this new approach uses genetically modified cells implanted under the skin to restore metabolic balance dynamically.
The key to this breakthrough is a gene switch that responds to commercially available nitroglycerine patches. When applied to the skin, the nitroglycerine diffuses and activates implanted human kidney cells. These modified cells then convert nitroglycerine into nitric oxide (NO), which triggers the release of GLP-1, a hormone that enhances insulin secretion and promotes satiety.
Professor Martin Fussenegger and his team have spent years developing gene switches that respond to various physical stimuli, such as electricity, sound, and light. This latest advancement, described in Nature Biomedical Engineering, marks a significant step forward. The use of nitroglycerine—an already widely used and safe compound—simplifies the process, making it more feasible for clinical application.
Though it will take at least a decade for this therapy to reach the market, researchers believe its potential extends beyond diabetes. The same technology could be adapted to treat other metabolic, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative diseases. By leveraging biotechnology, this approach offers a more precise, non-invasive way to regulate metabolism and improve patients’ quality of life.
Article written by Peter Rüegg,
14/02/2025
Source:
ETHZ news