A Smart Pill for Collecting Gut Samples
Official title: Ingestible Pill for spatially targeted sampling of gut microbiome
Funded at Tufts University Medford · NIH-11167641 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is creating a tiny, swallowable pill that can collect samples from specific areas of your digestive system without needing 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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $689,725 |
| NIH project number | 5R33DK132314-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11167641 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is focused on developing a device for adults aged 21 and older who may need targeted sampling of their gut microbiome.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not require specific sampling of their gut or those with conditions that significantly alter GI tract pH/pO2 in unpredictable ways may not directly benefit from this particular device.
What this research studies
We are developing a new type of ingestible pill, called a "micro-pill," designed to collect samples from precise locations within your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This pill will use tiny sensors to detect changes in pH and oxygen levels as it travels, allowing it to know its exact position and collect samples autonomously. This innovative approach aims to replace current methods that often require more invasive procedures to get these important samples. The pill will be powered by a small battery and can even be activated wirelessly if needed.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this technology could offer a much less invasive and more comfortable way to collect valuable information about your gut health, potentially leading to better diagnosis and treatment of digestive conditions.
How similar studies have gone: The researchers have experimented with an earlier version of this pill, and this project builds upon that work with an innovative new control mechanism for precise sampling.
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
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Multi-agent AI to annotate enzymes in the human gut microbiome
A team at a major university will build an AI system that automatically curates and labels the functions of enzymes in the human gut microbiome to speed up understanding their health effects.
-
Mapping how gut bacteria transform drugs
Scientists will study how the gut microbiome changes thousands of drugs into new forms, which could affect how well a medicine works or whether it causes side effects.
-
Aflatoxin exposure and child growth in Guatemala
A study in rural Guatemala will track how exposure to aflatoxin relates to growth and gut health in young children.
-
Gut bacteria that can make cancer immunotherapy less effective
This project will see if reducing chronic inflammation driven by certain gut bacteria can help immunotherapy work better for people whose cancers have stopped responding.
-
How gut bacteria affect how cancer drugs work
This project looks at how the bacteria in your gut might change how well and with what side effects fluoropyrimidine cancer drugs like 5-FU work in people.
-
Gut bacteria and cancer drugs: how your gut may change chemotherapy effectiveness
This project studies how the gut microbiome might affect how well certain chemotherapy drugs work and their side effects in people with cancer.
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.