Chinese Researchers Develop 'Smart' Probiotic for Real-Time Diabetes Control
A research team from East China Normal University has developed an engineered probiotic, dubbed GIFT, that acts as a 'living drug' for diabetes management. Published in Nature on August 12, the study details how these bacteria, when taken orally, colonize the intestine and monitor blood glucose levels in real-time. If glucose spikes, the bacteria autonomously release the hormone GLP-1 to lower it, remaining inactive when levels are normal. This approach aims to replace fixed-dose medications with a responsive system. The therapy has shown efficacy in mice and non-human primates, improving lipid profiles and reducing complications, with human clinical trials planned soon.
