Scientists are developing a futuristic approach to treating diabetes that sounds like science fiction but may one day become reality.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University have created a tiny electronic implant that helps lab-grown pancreatic tissue develop and work properly, raising hopes for new cell-based treatments for people with diabetes.
The device uses an ultrathin mesh of conductive wires embedded inside growing pancreatic tissue.
This mesh can send gentle electrical signals and monitor how the cells behave as they mature.
The research, published in the journal Science, suggests that these “cyborg-like” tissues could one day replace insulin-producing cells destroyed by disease.
In type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly attacks clusters of pancreatic cells called islets, which normally produce insulin to control blood sugar.
Without these cells, people must rely on insulin injections or pumps for life. In severe cases, patients may receive a pancreas or islet transplant, but donor tissue is scarce and recipients must take powerful drugs to prevent rejection.
Lab-grown pancreatic tissue could solve the shortage problem, but scientists have struggled to make these cells fully mature and function like natural ones. The new electronic mesh appears to help overcome this obstacle.
The research team placed a flexible mesh—thinner than a human hair—between layers of developing pancreatic cells.
The mesh delivered electrical pulses that followed a natural 24-hour rhythm, similar to the body’s internal clock that regulates sleep and other biological processes. This “schedule” encouraged the immature cells to develop into specialized insulin-producing cells and respond properly to sugar levels.
The mesh also allowed scientists to track the cells’ electrical activity over time. They found that once the cells learned this rhythm, they began working together in a coordinated way, releasing hormones at the right times. Even after a few days of stimulation, the cells continued to follow the pattern on their own.
Researchers say this technique is similar in concept to medical devices already used today. For example, pacemakers help regulate heart rhythms, and deep brain stimulation uses electrical signals to treat certain neurological disorders. In this case, controlled electrical stimulation guides pancreatic cells toward normal function.
Looking ahead, the team sees two possible ways this technology could be used in patients. One option is to electrically “train” lab-grown cells before transplanting them, allowing them to function independently once inside the body. Another possibility is leaving the mesh in place to monitor and stimulate the cells after transplantation, ensuring they keep working properly over time.
In the future, artificial intelligence could even manage the system automatically, detecting when the cells need support and delivering stimulation as needed.
While the research is still in early stages and has not yet been tested in people, it offers a promising new direction for diabetes treatment. If successful, these electronic-enhanced tissues could dramatically expand the supply of transplantable cells and reduce reliance on lifelong insulin therapy.
For millions living with diabetes, a “cyborg” pancreas may sound extraordinary, but it could represent a powerful step toward restoring the body’s natural ability to control blood sugar.
Source: KSR.
