An innovative cellular cellular cellular device will help patients with type 1 diabetes, thanks to a synthetic biology investigation that uses living components."We work with a living system that is formed by a set of yeast cells (Saccharomy Cerevisiae) non -pancreatic that have been genetically modified," says Javier Macía, of the Complex Systems Laboratory of the Department of Experimental and Health Sciences (CEXS) (CEXS)from Pompeu Fabra University."Thus, they have the ability to detect glucose levels of the model organism and secrete insulin or glucagon in response."
In collaboration with the Center for Innovation of Children's Diabetes of the San Juan de Dios Hospital, the study is carried out, together with Macía, the researchers Francesc Posas and Eulàlia de Nadal, heads of the cell signaling laboratory, and Ricard Solé,also of the complex systems laboratory."These devices are made up of living components," adds Macía. "They speak the same language of life."
To achieve this cellular device, it is necessary to introduce in the cells that will act as a device, which will make them become lively insulin or glucagon secretory cells.Then we must identify and reprogram the natural system of cells to detect and discriminate the glucose levels of the environment through a genetic circuit that activates the expression of insulin and glucagon genes, depending on the levels of glucose detected.
Once this device is created, its operation is studied in a fluctuating environment that simulates the body of an individual with diabetes.Insulin and glucagon levels depend on the organism's glucose levels, and at the same time, the organism's glucose levels depend on the levels of insulin and glucagon secreted by the system.
So to achieve this objective an experimental computer system is used, especially created, which describes the behavior of a diabetic person.This makes it possible for scientists to experience the effects of the glycemic regulatory cellular device in a virtual environment, as a previous step to a future implementation in real people.
Once the cells and the computer are intercommunicated, the computer can modify the glucose levels that the cellular device detects imitating the levels that a person with diabetes will have.This innovative experimental system allows to evaluate the functionality of cellular devices and make changes in their design in order to optimize it.
"Despite the positive results obtained, there is still a long way for this medical technology to be applied to diabetic people," concludes Macía.
