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'''Insulin''' is a polypeptide hormone synthesized by the beta cells of the Islets of Langerhans within the [[pancreas]]. Insulin stimulates the cells of the body to take up [[glucose]] for cellular metabolism and storage. People who have an insulin deficiency develop the disease [[diabetes]]. Suffers either manifest insulin insensitivity where cells are rendered unresponsive to the hormone, or autoimmune destruction of the beta cells leading to decreased secretion of insulin.
'''Insulin''' is a polypeptide hormone synthesized by the beta cells of the Islets of Langerhans within the [[pancreas]]. Insulin stimulates the cells of the body to take up [[glucose]] for cellular metabolism and storage. People who have an insulin deficiency develop the disease [[diabetes]]. Suffers either manifest insulin insensitivity where cells are rendered unresponsive to the hormone, or autoimmune destruction of the beta cells leading to decreased secretion of insulin.
Insulin that is administered in the treatment of diabetes is now made by biotechnology, by growing of a synthetic form of human insulin in a [[genetically modified]], non-disease producing strain of ''Escherichia coli'' bacteria. This method creates an insulin with relatively few impurities compared to the old method of extraction from bovine (cow) or porcine (pig) pancreas, although high-pressure [[liquid chromatography]] (HPLC) methods ensure that all forms of insulin reach a high level of purity.
Insulin that is administered in the treatment of diabetes is now made biosynthetically by a [[genetically modified]], non-disease producing strain of ''Escherichia coli'' bacteria. This method creates an insulin with relatively few impurities compared to the old method of extraction from bovine (cow) or porcine (pig) pancreas, although high-pressure [[liquid chromatography]] (HPLC) methods ensure that all forms of insulin reach a high level of purity.
Insulin was discovered by Canadian Fredrick Banting in 1921. He and fellow Canadian [[John James Richard McCloud]] would win the [[Nobel Prize]] in Medicine soon afterwards, in 1923.
Insulin was discovered by Canadian Fredrick Banting in 1921. He and fellow Canadian [[John James Richard McCloud]] would win the [[Nobel Prize]] in Medicine soon afterwards, in 1923.
[[category:biology]]
[[category:biology]]