As almost 280 people are diagnosed each day, a new development could spare Australia’s 1.1 million diabetics some time and effort.

One of the biggest complaints many diabetes sufferers have is over the constant finger pricking to test blood glucose levels.

But research suggests a new protein could be used to bring less pain and more accurate results for diabetes patients.

The ‘designer protein’ developed at University of Miami is a modified form of the existing material used to sense the level of glucose in the body.

Bio-engineers modified the protein to include synthetic amino acids, which allow for superior monitoring over longer periods of time.

In a new video by American Chemical Society's (ACS'), research Dr Sylvia Daunert, says the improved proteins could eventually allow diabetics to check their blood sugar from their iPhones.