Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a defining disease of the 21st century; affecting over 500 million people worldwide and predicted to increase to 1.3 billion by 2050. Control of blood glucose levels is key to disease management in T2D patients. Glucose levels are currently controlled with a combination of diets, blood glucose monitoring, medication with potentially serious long-term side effects and insulin injections, all of which significantly impact quality of life.  

UBC researchers discovered that the plant natural product montbretinA (MbA) selectively inhibits the pathway regulating starch digestion, resulting in effective control of blood glucose levels in animal models of T2D. However, MbA is an extremely rare natural product that is only found in small amounts in montbretia plants. It is also very chemically complex and cannot be synthesized using chemical or enzyme reactions. 

To overcome this supply challenge and advance the commercialization of MbA as a novel antidiabetic treatment, researchers at UBC are developing omics-informed bioengineered production systems for MbA in yeast and the plant Nicotiana benthamiana (Nb). 

The team hopes to demonstrate the scalability of this production system, substantially derisk the MbA innovation and advance its commercialization for successful market entry. The outcomes of this project are expected to benefit stakeholders, including patients and health care providers, while addressing a critical need for the treatment of T2D.