A pill that samples gut bacteria from specific areas in the intestines
Official title: Ingestible Pill for spatially targeted sampling of gut microbiome
Funded at Tufts University Medford · NIH-11138897 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a tiny pill that you can swallow, which collects samples from your gut to help doctors learn more about your gut health without needing any invasive procedures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Medford NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 13, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $775,340 |
| NIH project number | 4R33DK132314-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11138897 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who may require gastrointestinal sampling for health assessments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that prevent them from ingesting pills or those who do not require gastrointestinal sampling may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a small ingestible device called a micro-pill that can autonomously collect samples from specific locations in the gastrointestinal tract. Unlike traditional methods that require invasive procedures, this micro-pill uses sensors to detect pH and oxygen levels to determine when and where to sample intestinal content. It is designed to operate on a battery and can be activated wirelessly, making it suitable for patients with varying gastrointestinal conditions. The goal is to improve the understanding of gut microbiome composition without the need for invasive surgeries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a non-invasive method for patients to better understand their gut health and microbiome.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of ingestible devices is not entirely novel, the specific approach of this micro-pill for targeted sampling is innovative and has not been widely tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts University Medford
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sonkusale, Sameer R — Tufts University Medford
- Study coordinator: Sonkusale, Sameer R
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.