Bacterial biosensors to help detect GI cancers early
Official title: Bacterial biosensors for the prevention of gastrointestinal cancers
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11389304 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A living bacterial sensor is being developed to spot colorectal and pancreatic cancers early inside the GI tract and give a readable diagnostic output.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | May 18, 2020 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $511,174 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA241728-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11389304 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults at average risk for GI cancers or with higher risk factors who would benefit from easier screening options might be suitable for future development and trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers outside the GI tract or those unable to tolerate experimental diagnostics may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This project aims to create safe, engineered bacteria that live in the gastrointestinal tract and produce a clear signal when they detect cancer-related DNA. The team combines synthetic biology with cancer models to test a living biosensor that reports on tumor DNA right where the cancer might develop. If successful, this could lead to easier, cheaper screening options that catch GI cancers earlier when treatment is most effective.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from a simpler and potentially less invasive way to screen for GI cancers and catch them earlier.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in living biosensors shows promise, with ongoing translational efforts advancing toward human applicability.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hasty, Jeff M — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Hasty, Jeff M
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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.