Smartphones can already control homes and cars, anddiagnosediseases. Chinese and Swiss researchers now show that a smartphone can command engineered cells implanted in diabetic mice to produce insulin.
The researchers demonstrated a clever closed-loop system in which a digital glucometer transmits data on the rodents blood glucose levelsto a smartphone, which processes the data and then signals the implanted cells to deliver insulin.This is a step towards a new era of personalized, digitalized precision medicine, says Haifeng Ye of East China Normal University,who led the work reported in Science.
Cell-based therapies are a radical new medical treatment option being investigated by researchers. The idea is to turn cells into disease-fighting weapons by engineering them to produce therapeutic chemicals and proteins that they would churn out once implanted in the body. Living white blood cells, for instance, have been designed to fight cancer, HIV, and other diseases.Hundreds of cell therapies are undergoing clinical trials. But none can be controlled from outside the body.
Ye and his colleagues have come up with an innovative way to add smarts to cell-based therapy. They chose diabetes as the target disease.
They initially inserted light-sensitive bacterial proteins into mammalian cells. When exposed to far-red light (wavelength of about 730 nanometers), the protein activateda genetic pathway that causedthe cells to produce insulin.
After that success, they team made dime-sizedevices in which circular power-receiving coils surround a hydrogel that is embedded with the engineered cells and far-red LEDs. These devices were implanted under the skin of diabetic mice. When an external transmitting coil wirelessly switches on the LEDs via electromagnetic induction, their light triggers the cells to produce insulin in the animals.
The team made three things to remotely control the engineered cells: a custom-engineered Bluetooth-active glucometer,an Android-based smartphone app,and an intelligent control box that controls the power-transmitting coil.
When the researchers placemice blood samples on the glucometer, it sends measurements to the smartphone via Bluetooth. The phone app compares these levels to a pre-set threshold, then signals the control box to turn on the power-transmitter coil, which switches on the LEDs long enough for the cell implant to deliver the right amount of insulin.
The animals blood glucose typically went down to nondiabetic levels within two hours of irradiation. The system maintained the blood glucose concentration in mice for 15 days without any side effects. After that it could be replaced, Ye says, but a much longer performance or replacement frequency of the implant needs to be further investigated in humans.
One big limitation of the system is that it needs manual blood draws. Another is that the animals need to be close to the transmitting coil and be exposed to EM radiation to switch on the LEDs.
But a bit more engineering could yielda diabetesmonitoring-and-treatment system that isfully automatic and portable. A continuous glucose monitorcould send blood sugar measurements to the users phone. The phone would trigger a battery-powered LED wristband to shine light on the implanted insulin-producing cells.
IEEE Spectrums biomedical engineering blog, featuring the wearable sensors, big data analytics, and implanted devices that enable new ventures in personalized medicine.
Sign up for The Human OS newsletter and get biweekly news about how technology is making healthcare smarter.
Forget manual pipetting: These companies say biology needs software, programming languages, and, of course, robots 27Apr
U.S. Department of Defense backs peripheral nerve stimulation as a tool to improve learning and military skills 26Apr
Facebook promises 100 words per minute, but doesn't detail the technology that can pull that off 20Apr
Electrical stimulation delivered to the human brain when memory is predicted to fail can improve memory 20Apr
Two new studies show good results on DBS for depression, but the treatment is still far from clinical use 18Apr
Machine learning uses data from smartphones and wearables to identify signs of relationship conflicts 18Apr
What can we expect from Neuralink, the new Elon Musk company devoted to brain-computer interfaces? 12Apr
Algorithms spot heart failure, lung cancer, and drug candidates sooner 5Apr
The heart hugger, the drug doser, and flexible forceps show how malleable machines will work safely inside the body 31Mar
In Rwanda, the drone delivery startup Zipline is now bringing blood across mountains 31Mar
This lab-on-a-glove puts weapons detection on the user's fingertips 30Mar
The electronic skin is touch-sensitive and could be inexpensively manufactured 30Mar
Harvard's home testing kit for male fertility would just need your smartphone and semen sample 23Mar
Stanford researchers design Lego robot kit so students can automate their chemistry experiments 22Mar
Her device uses near-infrared to provide MRI-resolution imaging in a cheap wearable 15Mar
A clinical trial in Switzerland is testing a spinal implant to help paralyzed people walk again 14Mar
Project that aims to build a synthetic yeast pioneers the design and debugging of chromosomes 10Mar
Molecular robot brings us one step closer to mimicking cellular behavior 7Mar
With new design advances, nanorobots are inching closer to medical use 1Mar
This sleek yet rugged sensor measures better and lasts longer 27Feb
See the original post:
Smartphone-Controlled Cells Keep Diabetes In Check - IEEE ... - IEEE Spectrum
- TRANSPLANT VIEWS: Stem cell therapy used for diabetic patients [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2011]
- Diabetes - Video [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Treatment vs Diet For Diabetes - Video [Last Updated On: January 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 12th, 2012]
- Orgenesis' Sarah Ferber, Ph.D on Using a Diabetes Patient's Own Liver Cells as a Novel Source of Insulin [Last Updated On: June 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2012]
- Diabetes drug may kill cancer stem cells, study says [Last Updated On: June 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 20th, 2012]
- Diabetes reversed in mice using stem cells [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2012]
- Diabetes Reversed In Mice Thanks To Stem Cell Transplant [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2012]
- Diabetes Reversal In Mice Via Stem Cells [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2012]
- Diabetes drug makes brain cells grow [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2012]
- Diabetes drug helps brain growth, makes mice smarter [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2012]
- Diabetes study hit by lack of funds [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Stem Cells Lupus Testimony Stem Alive - Video [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2012]
- Common diabetes drug could fight ovarian cancer [Last Updated On: December 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 4th, 2012]
- Diabetes distresses bone marrow stem cells by damaging their microenvironment [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2013] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2013]
- Mike Maldonado uses exercise to fight Diabetes and Cancer - Video [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2013] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2013]
- Diabetes : Deep-sea diving tank combined with stem cells to treat condition [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2013] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2013]
- Diabetes team finds new hormone that could transform care [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2013] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2013]
- Hormone Shows Potential as Diabetes Treatment in Mice [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2013] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2013]
- Potential Diabetes Breakthrough - Video [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2013] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2013]
- Stem Cell Therapy Cures Type 1 Diabetes in Mice [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2013] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2013]
- John Chick: Giving diabetes the boot [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2013] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2013]
- Scientists Create Personalized Stem Cells, Raising Hopes for Diabetes Cure [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- Stem Cells from a Diabetes Patient [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- Gut Cells May Be Coaxed to Make Insulin for People With Type 1 Diabetes [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2014]
- Diabetes tipo 2 Podra ser reversible? [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2014]
- James Shapiro: "Cutting Edge Islet and Stem Cell Transplant Therapies in the Clinic for Diabetes" - Video [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2014]
- Cure for Type 1 diabetes imminent after Harvard stem-cell breakthrough [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2014]
- New diabetes breakthrough 'bigger than the discovery of insulin' [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2014]
- A cure for diabetes and awful jokes [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2014]
- Stem Cell Success Raises Hopes of Type 1 Diabetes Cure [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2014]
- Major step toward diabetes cure - Video [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2014]
- Did Scientists Just Cure Type 1 Diabetes? - Video [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2014]
- Muscle relaxant may treat rare form of diabetes, scientists find [Last Updated On: November 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2014]
- TESTIMONI LAMININE - Ginjal Diabetes dan Komplikasi - Video [Last Updated On: December 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: December 3rd, 2014]
- Laminine - Seminar Diabetes - Video [Last Updated On: December 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: December 5th, 2014]
- Stem cells show promise for reversing type 2 diabetes [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2015]
- Vitamin D prevents diabetes and clogged arteries in mice [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2015]
- stemtech testimonial diabetes www afastemcell com - Video [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2015] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2015]
- Afastemcell - testimoni penderita diabetes - Video [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2015] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2015]
- Diabetes.net Welcome to the Original Diabetes Network [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2015]
- Diabetes mellitus [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2015]
- Type 2 Diabetes: Everything You Need to Know [Last Updated On: August 6th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 6th, 2015]
- Diabetes Mellitus Center - Washington, DC - MedicineNet [Last Updated On: August 21st, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 21st, 2015]
- Washington, DC - American Diabetes Association [Last Updated On: August 21st, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 21st, 2015]
- Type 1 Diabetes: Causes, Tests, Symptoms and Treatments [Last Updated On: August 23rd, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 23rd, 2015]
- Type 2 Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, and More [Last Updated On: August 26th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2015]
- Diabetes mellitus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: August 27th, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 27th, 2015]
- Diabetes | Overview [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2015]
- Virginia Diabetes and Endocrinology [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2015]
- About Diabetes - American Heart Association [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2015]
- Diabetes [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2015]
- NIHSeniorHealth: Diabetes - What is Diabetes? [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2015]
- Diabetes Symptoms: Common Symptoms of Diabetes [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2015]
- Type 2 Diabetes Condition Center - Health.com [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2015]
- Diabetes - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment of Diabetes - NY ... [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2015]
- Raleigh North Carolina Office of the American Diabetes ... [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2015]
- Louisiana Office of the American Diabetes Association [Last Updated On: September 21st, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 21st, 2015]
- Diabetes Basics - What is Diabetes? - Lifeclinic [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2015]
- Kentucky: Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Diabetes [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2015]
- Albuquerque-Santa Fe, New Mexico American Diabetes [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2015]
- Chicago Illinois Office of the American Diabetes Association [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2015]
- Wisconsin Diabetes Prevention and Control Program | Wisconsin ... [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2015]
- Diabetes Basics [Last Updated On: July 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 25th, 2016]
- Diabetes: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments - Health News [Last Updated On: July 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 25th, 2016]
- What Can I Eat If I Have Diabetes [Last Updated On: August 1st, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 1st, 2016]
- JDRF Type 1 Diabetes Research Funding and Advocacy [Last Updated On: August 5th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 5th, 2016]
- children with DIABETES Online Community [Last Updated On: August 5th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 5th, 2016]
- WHO | Diabetes programme [Last Updated On: August 5th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 5th, 2016]
- Bridgewater, New Jersey - American Diabetes Association [Last Updated On: August 14th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 14th, 2016]
- Diabetes Prevention and Control - New Jersey [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 17th, 2016]
- NJDOH - Family Health services - New Jersey [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 17th, 2016]
- Diabetes Australia [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 18th, 2016]
- Diabetes Facts & Information | Joslin Diabetes Center [Last Updated On: August 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 23rd, 2016]
- Diabetes mellitus type 2 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: August 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 23rd, 2016]
- Diabetes - Better Health Channel [Last Updated On: August 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 23rd, 2016]
- Diabetes Symptoms: American Diabetes Association [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2016]
- Types of Diabetes | NIDDK [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2016]
- Diabetes mellitus - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: October 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 26th, 2016]
- Diabetes May Be Warning Sign of Pancreatic Cancer - WebMD [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Roche won't sell diabetes businessit's looking for deals to boost it instead - FierceBiotech [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]