IIT Bhilai Researchers Develop Revolutionary ‘Smart Insulin’ for Enhanced Diabetes Treatment – Times of India

RAIPUR: In a significant breakthrough in diabetes treatment, scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhilai, in collaboration with researchers from Shiv Nadar University, have successfully developed a groundbreaking innovation known as “smart insulin.”
This revolutionary formulation, derived from bio-abundant materials, has demonstrated tremendous potential in effectively managing diabetes. The study, led by Dr. Suchetan Pal from the Department of Chemistry at IIT Bhilai, holds great promise for significantly improving the quality of life for individuals living with diabetes, an IIT Bhilai press release said.
Currently, individuals with type 1 and advanced-stage type 2 diabetes rely on regular insulin injections to regulate their blood glucose levels. However, this conventional method is not only inconvenient and painful but also carries the risk of hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by low blood sugar levels.
The newly developed smart insulin material exhibits an extended-release period, lasting up to two days, in contrast to the 12-hour duration of regular insulin. Promising results were observed during experiments conducted on diabetic rats before moving forward with human trials. If the human trials prove successful, patients may experience a reduction in insulin injection frequency, leading to an improved overall quality of life.
This remarkable formulation will undergo further evaluation for its potential application in developing low-cost, long-acting insulin, and may even pave the way for the creation of an artificial pancreas. The groundbreaking research conducted by the team has been published in the esteemed journal ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, gaining international recognition for its potential to transform diabetes treatment.
The research project has received support from various sources, including IIT Bhilai, the HDFC-CSR grant, the Department of Science and Technology (DST), and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award.
With diabetes posing a growing global health threat, this development brings hope for millions of individuals grappling with the condition, offering a potential breakthrough in diabetes management and contributing to a healthier future.