Use of living cells and organisms for the synthesis of diagnostic and pharmaceutical products used in treatment of various diseases is termed as Medical Biotechnology. Medical biotechnology has significantly advanced healthcare to manage the diabetes and cancer through continuously improving the treatments and diagnostic tools for these diseases.
10.3.1 Diabetes Diagnosis of Diabetes
Diagnosis of type and level of disease is key step in its effective cure. Bio medical technology is being used for earlier, accurate and efficient diagnosis of diabetes. Following are some important contributions of biotechnology in diagnosis of diabetes.
a. Biosensors for glucose monitoring (glucose meters) have been developed by experimenting with genetically engineered organisms. Biosensors are used to measure blood glucose levels. The devices have electrodes which sense the level of enzymes in the blood that react with glucose. These devices generate an electrical signal proportional to glucose concentration per unit volume of blood.
Diagram image pending upload by Admin.
b. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices have been developed which are the product of biotechnological innovation. These devices provide real- time data of blood glucose levels in a diabetic patients to manage their disease condition more effectively. Thus help n timely adjustments of insulin doses and dietary plants for patients.
c. Assays have been developed through biotechnology to measure HbA1c levels in blood. HbA1c test measures the amount of blood glucose attached to hemoglobin in RBCs. As RBCs generally live for about three months so, HbA1c levels reflect the average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months. This provides insights into long-term glucose control.
Science Titbits
The CGM sensor checks blood sugar levels every few minutes and wirelessly sends the information to a digital controller. The controller, which can be a computer program in the pump or a mobile app, analyzes the data and instructs the insulin pump to deliver the right amount of insulin. The pump then delivers insulin when blood sugar levels rise above a target range.
Biomarker molecules (proteins or other metabolites) for diabetes have been identified by biotechnologists for diagnosis of disease in its early stages or monitoring the progression of disease.
10.3.1.2 Insulin Production
Initially insulin for the use of diabetic patients have been derived from animal sources but now biotechnology has transformed insulin production by genetically modified bacteria. Insulin is now chiefly produced through recombinant DNA technology. This method is reliable for large- scale production of human insulin with purity and best quality, ensuring a stable and safe supply for diabetic patients worldwide.
10.3.4.3 Artificial Pancreas
Recent advancements in medical biotechnology is the development of the closed- loop insulin delivery systems. Patients with diabetes Type- 1 can use this device.
Diagram image pending upload by Admin.
It is an insulin pump which release required amount of insulin after the detection of blood sugar levels. Insulin pump is connected to the monitor through a computer programme which continuously detect the blood sugar levels. This is also called artificial pancreas. These systems improve the glucose control and minimize complications