Scientists have uncovered a potential breakthrough in developing a faster acting insulin in an unusual place: snails. Now, JDRF-funded researchers are using the molecular features of the snail insulin to create ultra-rapid insulins for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and have published their findings in .

As discussed in last year’s blog, certain sea snails shoot insulin at their prey, sending them into hypoglycemic shock and allowing the snails to eat them. This immediately piqued the interest of T1D scientists, and catalyzed research into better understanding how this insulin works, with the potential to transform the treatment of T1D.

The human and rapid-acting analog insulins available today leave much to be desired. They are slow to lower blood sugar and remain in the bloodstream for hours after administration. Faster acting, or ultra-rapid insulins, would help people with T1D better manage their disease. They could correct high blood sugars more quickly, allow for more flexibility at mealtimes, prevent hypoglycemia caused by insulin lingering too long in the body, and crucially, help to “close the loop” in artificial pancreas technology, i.e. create an artificial pancreas system where the user doesn’t have to manually enter any insulin doses (for example, at mealtime).

This paper, whose authors include lead investigator Xiaochun Xiong, Ph.D., a JDRF postdoctoral fellow;  JDRF-funded senior author Danny Chou, Ph.D.; and previously JDRF-funded collaborator Helena Safavi-Hemami, Ph.D., details their approach. These scientists identify the molecular characteristics of the snail insulin that make it work quickly and potently and incorporate them into human insulin. This creates an insulin that is part human and part snail that will serve as a basis for new ultra-rapid insulins.

In order for people with T1D to achieve better outcomes, insulin needs to work faster. JDRF is excited by the findings in this paper, and looks forward to continuing to support this science to achieve novel, innovative insulins.

Read the paper here and learn more about JDRF’s research into glucose control here.