Live-Cell Dual Insulin-Glucagon Biosensor For Beta Cell Regeneration and Therapeutics
This live-cell dual biosensor technology employs fluorescent tagging of proinsulin and proglucagon using fusion protein constructs under native promoters. Fluorescent proteins are precisely integrated into non-secreted regions of the pro-hormones, ensuring that the mature, secreted peptides remain unaffected. This design allows simultaneous monitoring of beta and alpha cells through distinct colors, thereby enabling simple ratio measurements in live cultures or organ preparations. Additionally, modular and swappable cassettes provide flexibility for tagging other protein systems, which facilitates monitoring dynamic cellular processes such as differentiation, de-differentiation, and transdifferentiation in response to varying glycemic conditions.
Description
This approach stands apart by offering real-time, non-invasive quantification and functional analysis of both insulin and glucagon dynamics simultaneously. Its ability to track the interplay between alpha and beta cells addresses the dual challenge of insulin deficiency and glucagon excess, a critical factor in diabetes management. The system’s modularity also broadens its applicability to other protein networks, thereby serving as a versatile tool for advancing beta cell regeneration studies and therapeutic developments in diabetes care.Applications
- Diabetes drug screening platform- Beta cell regeneration monitoring
- Anti-diabetic therapeutics development
- Live-cell assay optimization
Advantages
- Simultaneously monitors both alpha and beta cell activities, enabling comprehensive tracking of insulin and glucagon secretion dynamics.- Facilitates real-time assessment of cell differentiation, de-differentiation, and transdifferentiation processes under varying glycemic conditions.
- Utilizes modular, swappable cassettes for flexible application beyond insulin and glucagon, adaptable to various protein systems.
- Offers a non-invasive, dynamic tool for supporting the development of anti-diabetic treatments and beta cell regeneration strategies.
- Provides a simplified quantification method using distinct fluorescent ratio measurements in live-cell cultures or organ preparations.