An electrically triggered catalyst converted excess glucose into a waste product in laboratory tests, but the implant has not yet been tested in humans.
Researchers at ETH Zurich say they have developed an implantable system that can lower blood glucose without using insulin or other drugs, in a laboratory advance that could point to a new approach for type 2 diabetes. The work, led by Martin Fussenegger and published in Science, uses an electrically powered catalyst to remove excess glucose from the bloodstream and convert it into gluconate, which the body then excretes in urine. The researchers describe the system as a possible step towards electronically controlled treatment rather than conventional medication.
The device is built around an inorganic catalyst rather than living cells or enzymes, a distinction the team says may simplify development and reduce some of the hurdles that have limited earlier bioengineered approaches. ETH Zurich says the catalyst is made from graphite felt coated with gold nanoclusters and platinum particles, and that the implant is paired with an electronic control unit in a 3D-printed casing. A standard glucose sensor monitors levels continuously and sends a wireless signal to trigger the implant only when blood sugar rises too high, helping to avoid hypoglycaemia.
In tests reported by ETH Zurich, the system was first shown to work in a five-litre reservoir of glucose-containing solution, roughly matching the volume of blood in an adult human body. The researchers then tested it in diabetic mice, where they say the implant precisely regulated blood sugar, was well tolerated and helped the animals lose weight over a six-week period. The team said it found no sign of tissue damage from electrical or heat effects during the experiment. The device has not yet been tried in humans.
The latest ETH Zurich report follows a string of diabetes-related engineering projects from the same research group, including earlier work on implantable fuel cells that generated power from blood sugar and artificial beta cells designed to sense glucose and release insulin. Fussenegger said the new system marks a shift away from treating diabetes only by prompting the body to manage glucose, arguing that electronics can instead take direct control of glucose itself. According to the researchers, the components needed for wireless power transfer and external control already exist commercially, which they say could make further development more straightforward.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
