Electrogenetic cellular insulin release for real-time glycemic control in type 1 diabetic mice

Electronic control of designer cells There is increasing interest in using designer cells to produce or deliver therapeutics. Achieving direct communication between such cells and electronic devices would allow precise control of therapies. Krawczyk et al. describe a bioelectronic interface that uses wireless-powered electrical stimulation of cells to promote the release of insulin (see the Perspective by Brier and Dordick). The authors engineered human β cells to respond to membrane depolarization by rapidly releasing insulin from intracellular storage vesicles. A bioelectronic device that incorporates the cells can be wirelessly triggered by an external field generator. When subcutaneously implanted in type 1 diabetic mice, the device could be triggered to restore normal blood glucose levels. Science , this issue p. 993 ; see also p. 936