Some of you might have already seen the article and read through it but for those that didn’t, I’m going to share. The story is about a Chicago first grader Lilly Jaffe who has been diabetic since she was one month old and her trials, complications and use of an insulin pump. At this point in her very young and full life Lilly does not need any insulin or pumps anymore, she takes pills to control her diabetes and is living a very active life. Um huh, I said pills!

After years of uncontrolled blood sugars and her father attending a conference, doctors discovered that Lilly had what they call “sleeping” insulin producing cells, which is marked on your insulin gene and can be stimulated by a drug that has been safely used in adults for years… sulphonylurea.

Sulphonylurea works on the beta cells of the pancreas to increase the secretion of insulin. And viola, success! Lilly now plays soccer, dances her heart out at ballet class and even has sleepovers with her girlfriends. Her father calls it a “miracle”.

via People magazine, December the 24th, 2007

Post from: Blisstree

Trading In An Insulin Pump For The Drug Sulphonylurea

Daniell’s research team genetically engineered tobacco plants with the insulin gene and then administered freeze-dried plant cells to five-week-old diabetic mice as a powder for eight weeks. By the end of the study, the scientists found the diabetic mice had normal blood and urine sugar levels, and their cells were producing normal levels of insulin.

Did they seriously choose to use tobacco plants to carry out the research? Yes, it seems they did. But in hindsight, at least I would assume, Professor Daniell has suggested the possibility of using lettuce plants instead. I think that would be a great idea indeed!

via Science Daily

Post from: Blisstree

Researchers Grow Insulin In Tobacco Plants