Injectable nanogel can monitor blood-sugar levels and
secrete insulin when needed.
Injectable nanoparticles developed at MIT may someday
eliminate the need for patients with Type 1 diabetes to constantly monitor
their blood-sugar levels and inject themselves with insulin.
The nanoparticles were designed to sense glucose levels in
the body and respond by secreting the appropriate amount of insulin, thereby
replacing the function of pancreatic islet cells, which are destroyed in
patients with Type 1 diabetes. Ultimately, this type of system could ensure
that blood-sugar levels remain balanced and improve patients’ quality of life,
according to the researchers.