A team of researchers in Switzerland has been exploring innovative ways of regulating insulin levels in individuals with diabetes. Recently, they discovered a method of delivering insulin by using Queen’s famous song, “We Will Rock You”. However, there’s more to it than just playing music. The process also involves the use of designer cells to produce and release insulin.
A photo of Freddie Mercury and Brian May performing on stage during Queen’s concert at the Rock in Rio festival, … [+]
In individuals with diabetes, their bodies do not produce sufficient insulin to handle the glucose from their diet. This is why treatments usually involve a method of delivering insulin (although there are alternative treatments available for some types of diabetes). The conventional approach is through injections, but researchers are searching for easier ways to control insulin levels.
One potential solution that researchers have developed is an implantable capsule. This capsule contains designer cells that produce insulin. The challenge lies in regulating the release of insulin from these cells. To address this, Martin Fussenegger’s research team at ETH Zurich conducted a test using sound waves.
They introduced a gene from bacteria that generates a controlled gate, or channel, in the cell membrane. This channel responds to sound and vibration. By inserting this gene into the insulin-producing cells, they were able to create soundwave-controlled membrane channels through which insulin can be released. When these cells were grown in a lab dish, they demonstrated the ability to release insulin in response to music being played nearby.
Since the cells respond to movements caused by sound waves, certain types of music prove to be more effective. Heavy bass was particularly successful. After experimenting with various sound sources, the researchers discovered that Queen’s “We Will Rock You” was highly effective in opening the cell channels for insulin release.
To test if the method still worked when the sound had to penetrate the skin, the team implanted the capsules in mice. It was successful, but only when the speaker was directly placed on the mice.
“Our designer cells release insulin only when the sound source with the right sound is played directly on the skin above the implant,” Fussenegger explained to ETH Zurich.
To ensure that insulin release was not triggered unintentionally by general sound playing nearby, the researchers allowed the mice to move around in a space with music playing over speakers that were not directly touching them. Additionally, they ruled out ambient noises such as loud airplanes or lawn mowers.
After insulin is released from these cells, it takes approximately four hours for the cells to produce enough new insulin for the next release. This would be suitable for individuals who have a regular meal schedule with at least four hours between meals. However, it is important to note that this method is not yet available for human use.
It is unlikely that a rock playlist will be prescribed as a diabetes treatment in the near future. This method serves as a proof of concept to determine its effectiveness in principle. Before it can be applied clinically, extensive testing and research are necessary to ensure its long-term viability in humans. Nonetheless, this study highlights the ongoing efforts of researchers to find innovative ways of making insulin more accessible and manageable for individuals with diabetes.
