Human stomach cells tweaked to treat diabetes in mice.
Scientists genetically engineered human stomach cells to produce insulin, offering a potential new treatment for diabetes.
Why it matters
- Type 1 diabetes affects 9.5 million worldwide.
- Current treatments require lifelong monitoring and insulin injections.
- This approach could replace lost pancreatic beta cells naturally.
By the numbers
- Human stomach organoids survived up to 6 months in mice.
- Genetic switch converted stomach cells to insulin-secreting cells.
- Insulin secretion helped control blood sugar levels in diabetic mice.
The big picture
- Potential for a new treatment strategy for diabetes.
- Uses patients' own cells to generate insulin-secreting cells.
- More studies needed for safety and effectiveness in humans.
What they're saying
- Mouse studies often don't translate to human treatments.
- Concerns about commercial interests stalling progress.
Caveats
- Research is in early stages; human trials needed.
- Safety and effectiveness in humans not yet established.
What’s next
- Further studies to confirm safety and efficacy in humans.
- Potential development into a clinical treatment.