Skin art with a purpose

Researchers at Draper Laboratory hope to set diabetics free from the tedious routine of pin pricks and glucose strips. Their replacement? A discreet (indeed, usually invisible) "tattoo" that would glow when the diabetic beamed infrared light on it. The brighter the tattoo, the higher the glucose level, and the more urgent the need for insulin.

The Cambridge-based lab has sucessfully tested, in mice, a similar tattoo that detects sodium levels, reports Technology Review. Now it's moving on to animal testing of the insulinglucose-measuring version. The quasi-tattoos are made of tiny polymer beads containing fluorescent dye, plus sensor molecules.

The beads are placed shallowly enough that they will slough off over time, making them less permanent than link. Diabetics wearing them would be given infrared devices resembling computer mouses as replacements for those jabbing needles.

At this early stage of research, some questions remain. Such as: Can you request that the subdermal beads be arrayed to spell out "Mom," or depict your favorite superhero?

(Photo of cell: Heather Clark, Draper)