15/01/2007

A microscopic implantable biosensor which measures blood sugar in diabetics at any given moment and records the values is being developed by scientists in eight countries, including Greece. In particular, the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB) of the Foundation for Research & Technology (FORTH) is taking part in a new research project (P-CEZANNE) which focuses on developing innovative solutions for managing diabetes. The project, which has a EUR 14 million budget, is being co-financed by the EU?s FP6.

Diabetes is a permanent threat to health and today would appear to be developing to epidemic proportions. Globally it affects 120 million people including around 1 million Greeks. Its complications include blindness, heart disease, strokes, nerve damage, the need for amputation and kidney failure. It is estimated that it is responsible for the death of 3.2 million people every year, a number which is comparable to the death figures for high cholesterol levels or smoking.

A key issue in managing diabetes is daily measurement of their blood sugar levels, which today requires taking blood. The aim of the new research project is to develop a less-intrusive, more effective measuring method. In particular, it seeks to develop a new implantable microscopic biosensor which will measure blood sugar levels in diabetics? blood in real time and the measurements will then be sent by wireless means to an external device.

15 bodies from eight countries, including industry and research institutes, are participating in the project. The effort is being coordinated by Meir Hospital in Israel and is expected to be completed in 2010.

On IMBB?s part, the team run by researcher and University of Crete Asst. Prof. Tassos Economou is participating. The IMBB team will utilise the results of extensive basic research which has already been carried out on the structure and function of proteins to develop the microscopic blood sugar biosensor.

As Prof. Economou pointed out, this micro-device will be implanted under the skin just like a pacemaker and will serve several functions. One section ? the ?warehouse? ? will contain a biological material, a protein obtained from bacteria, which 'senses' the increase in glucose levels in the blood. At the same time, a sensor will record this change and the measurements will be sent by wireless means to an external device like a mobile phone or a watch.

The receiver will be part of an ICT system which will collect, store and analyse results. A central monitoring unit will allow the attending doctor to monitor patients remotely and adjust the treatment administered. Long-term it is planned that the system will also include an implantable insulin micro-pump which will connect to the biosensor in order to provide diabetics with the insulin dose needed by the body.

More information is available from IMBB-ITE (Tassos Economou, Tel./Fax: 2810 391166, e-mail: aeconomo@imbb.forth.gr).

Source: ΙΜΒΒ-FORTH