Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a gene switch that can be activated using a simple nitroglycerin patch applied to the skin. This breakthrough could lead to advanced treatments for metabolic diseases like diabetes. The study, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, introduces a new way to control cell therapies using an already available drug.
A Smarter Approach to Treating Diabetes
The human body carefully regulates its metabolism, especially blood sugar levels. Cells in the pancreas monitor glucose levels and release insulin when needed. However, in diabetes, this natural system does not work properly, causing dangerously high blood sugar levels.
Currently, people with diabetes must measure their blood sugar and inject insulin manually, which is far less precise than the body’s natural process.
Professor Martin Fussenegger and his team at ETH Zurich have been working on cell therapies that could one day offer a more precise and personalized treatment—or even a cure—for metabolic diseases. These therapies involve modifying human cells to respond to specific signals, allowing them to take over functions that the body can no longer perform properly.
How the Gene Switch Works
For these therapies to work, scientists need a way to control the implanted cells. Over the years, Fussenegger’s team has experimented with different types of gene switches—some controlled by electricity, light, and even sound. Their latest breakthrough uses a nitroglycerin patch, which is easy to apply and already widely available in pharmacies.
When the patch is placed on the skin, nitroglycerin quickly enters the bloodstream. The implanted cells, which have been modified to detect nitroglycerin, contain an enzyme that converts it into nitric oxide (NO). In the body, NO naturally helps dilate blood vessels and improve circulation. In this case, the NO triggers the production of GLP-1, a chemical messenger that:
- Stimulates insulin release from the pancreas, helping to regulate blood sugar.
- Creates a feeling of fullness, reducing food intake.
The researchers highlight that their gene switch is made entirely from human components, reducing the risk of unwanted immune reactions or interference with the body’s natural processes.
The Future of Gene Switches
Fussenegger has developed several gene switches over the past two decades, including ones activated by electrical signals, sound waves, and light. He believes that electrical signals, controlled by wearable devices like smartwatches or smartphones, hold the most potential for future treatments.
However, when it comes to chemical-based switches, the nitroglycerin patch stands out as the most promising solution.
Despite this exciting progress, Fussenegger emphasizes that developing a fully functional cell therapy is a long and complex process. Bringing a therapy to market takes decades and requires significant funding and expertise.
Although diabetes is currently the focus of this research, similar gene switch-based therapies could be developed for autoimmune, metabolic, and even neurodegenerative diseases.
Fussenegger compares traditional drug treatments to a hammer that blindly strikes a problem, whereas cell therapies mimic the body’s natural processes to achieve more precise and effective treatment.
If successful, this new gene switch technology could pave the way for more advanced and personalized treatments, offering new hope for millions of people living with chronic diseases.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about 5 vitamins that may prevent complication in diabetes, and how to manage high blood pressure and diabetes with healthy foods.
For more health information, please see recent studies about vitamin D and type2 diabetes, and to people with type 2 diabetes, some fruits are better than others.
The research findings can be found in Nature Biomedical Engineering.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
