Engineered Probiotics Developed to Regulate Blood Sugar Levels

Researchers at the Shanghai Academy of Natural Sciences have developed an oral probiotic, GIFT, that senses high blood sugar and releases GLP-1 to trigger insulin production.

In tests on diabetic monkeys, a single dose of the probiotic maintained healthy blood sugar levels for up to three days, while treated mice showed reduced fat mass and improved metabolism.

The probiotic uses a synthetic gene circuit controlled by the HexR protein to ensure on-demand dosing, which researchers claim reduces the risk of low blood sugar compared to standard injections.