The researchers used a technique called RNA interference to silence the expression of a gene in cow's that is responsible for the production of bovine insulin. This allowed them to insert a human insulin gene into the cow's genome, which was then expressed in the milk.
The researchers found that the human insulin produced in cow's milk was biologically active and able to lower blood sugar levels in diabetic mice. This suggests that the technology could be used to produce a new source of human insulin for the treatment of diabetes.
The researchers say that the next step is to conduct clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of human insulin produced in cow's milk in humans. If these trials are successful, the technology could provide a new way to produce insulin that is more affordable and accessible than current methods.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects how the body turns food into energy. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose, or sugar, get from the blood into cells for use as energy. People with diabetes either don't make enough insulin or don't use insulin well, which causes blood sugar levels to rise too high.
Current methods for producing human insulin involve using genetically engineered bacteria or yeast. These methods can be expensive and time-consuming. The new technology developed by the researchers at UC Davis could provide a more efficient and affordable way to produce human insulin.
If the clinical trials are successful, the technology could be used to produce a new source of human insulin that is more affordable and accessible than current methods. This could have a significant impact on the lives of people with diabetes.
