A Breakthrough in Diabetes Treatment
GUWAHATI: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed a novel method to produce human insulin using the bacterial system Pseudomonas fluorescens. The innovation has already been secured with two Indian patents and could make insulin more affordable, efficient, and accessible across the world.
IIT Guwahati has developed a patented method to produce insulin from bacteria, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. The breakthrough could make diabetes treatment more affordable and sustainable globally.
Why It Matters
- Global Diabetes Challenge: Over 537 million adults live with diabetes today, a figure projected to rise sharply. By 2050, one in eight adults worldwide could be affected, according to the International Diabetes Federation.
- Existing Problem: Current insulin production is costly and inefficient, leaving millions in low- and middle-income countries without reliable access.
- The IIT-G Solution: The team’s approach produces insulin in soluble form directly from bacteria, cutting out complex purification steps, lowering costs, and replacing toxic inducers with food-grade compounds.
This makes the process safer, cheaper, and more sustainable.
Beyond Insulin: Wider Potential
The new platform isn’t just limited to insulin. It also holds promise for the large-scale production of therapeutic proteins and industrial enzymes, potentially revolutionizing biopharma manufacturing. With global demand for insulin set to rise, this step could prove crucial for accessible healthcare solutions.
The Team Behind the Breakthrough
The research is led by Professor Veeranki Venkata Dasu (Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering), with contributions from Ansuman Sahoo, Prabir Kumar Das, Dr. MSRC Murthy, and Professor Sanjukta Patra.
The team’s work has been published in international journals including:
- International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
- Journal of Biotechnology
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes IIT Guwahati’s insulin breakthrough special?
It uses a safe bacterium (Pseudomonas fluorescens) to produce insulin in soluble form, reducing costs, avoiding toxic inducers, and increasing efficiency.
Has the method been patented?
Yes, the team has secured two Indian patents for the technology.
