New method natural metabolism studies of the pancreas in real time

A natural method of studying pancreatic islets, small tissue responsible for insulin production and regulation in the body, was recently developed by researchers at the University of Toronto's Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering (IBBME), Canada, to try to track metabolic changes in living tissue in real time and without additional chemicals or drugs. The organic approach can lead to changes in the understanding of diabetes and other diseases.

Researchers have developed a small tool micro-fluidics to bring solutions of fatty acids and glucose through small channels that support pancreatic tissues. The tissues are then captured against a 'web', only a fraction of a millimeter in height, which keeps property, while the flow of glucose solutions, making it possible to monitor live the metabolic activities in tissues. Thus it is possible to track changes in the tissues in a pure and natural, seeing mitochondrial proteins in tissue that are lit naturally.

"We created a new opportunity for the study of tissues," said the professor who led the study Jonathon Rocheleau. "Using our techniques, we are looking for the metabolism and how it occurs as naturally as possible."

Conventional studies involving pancreatic tissue non-living, or require the addition of chemicals or drugs to track changes in living tissue. Now, with this new approach, the tissues are kept in conditions close to their natural processes.

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