Source: Baylor Health Care System
Posted: May 22, 2006
Researchers at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas and the Baylor Research Institute have developed a novel technique known as ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) to deliver insulin genes to the pancreas, the organ that produces insulin, via microscopic "bubbles.". This approach is a major step in the potential treatment of Type I diabetes. Once the bubbles reach their target they are burst with ultrasound releasing the insulin genes into the pancreas.
Using UTMD, researchers delivered the bubbles containing human insulin genes into the pancreas of rats and later found that the rat's blood sugar had been subsequently lowered. Another gene that regulates insulin production, known as hexokinase I, was successfully delivered using UTMD as well, and resulted in increased blood insulin and decreased blood sugar in the rats.
Researchers say the UTMD technique could be used to deliver genes to other organs in the future.
Commentary: This approach seems promising to treat genetic diseases and conditions and restore function to damaged or injured organs.
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