Disclosed are bioluminescent bioreporter
integrated circuit devices that detect selected analytes in fluids when implanted in the body of an animal. The device comprises a bioreporter that has been
genetically engineered to contain a
nucleic acid segment that comprises a cis-activating
response element that is responsive to the selected substance operably linked to a
gene encoding a bioluminescent reporter polypeptide. In preferred embodiments, the target
analyte is glucose, glucagons, or
insulin.
Exposure of the bioreporter to the target substance causes the
response element to up-regulate the
nucleic acid sequence encoding the reporter polypeptide to produce a luminescent response that is detected and quantitated. In illustrative embodiments, the bioreporter device is encapsulated on an
integrated circuit that is capable of detecting the emitted light,
processing the
resultant signal, and then remotely reporting the results. Also disclosed are controlled
drug delivery systems capable of being directly or indirectly controlled by the detection device that provide drugs such as
insulin to the animal in reponse to the amount of target
analyte present in the body fluids.