Engineered bacteria that detect disease signals and deliver targeted treatments
Synthetic biology tools and strategies to streamline the sensing and responding to disease cues in engineered theragnostic bacteria.
This project builds helpful bacteria that can sense signs of illness in the body and respond by releasing targeted medicines for people with conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, infections, or some tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251773 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will design and build genetic “sensor-response” circuits inside friendly bacteria so the microbes can detect specific disease-related molecules and then produce a controlled therapeutic or diagnostic signal. The team will optimize these sensors to work at real body concentrations and reduce background noise so responses are reliable. They plan to test and refine the systems in the lab and in preclinical models, and explore delivery routes such as oral or systemic administration to reach places like the gut, mouth, skin, or tumors. Safety, targeting accuracy, and the ability to produce useful therapeutic molecules will be key outcomes guiding future patient studies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with conditions mentioned by the team—such as inflammatory bowel disease, chronic infections, certain metabolic disorders, or specific solid tumors—who are interested in experimental microbial-based approaches may be relevant candidates for future studies.
Not a fit: People without the targeted disease signals, or those who are severely immunocompromised or have contraindications to live microbial therapies, may not receive benefit from this line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to microbes that detect disease early and deliver medicines on site, potentially improving treatment precision and lowering side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Related engineered-bacteria approaches have shown promise in laboratory studies and early-phase trials, but broad clinical success and widespread approved treatments remain limited.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dwidar, Mohammed — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Dwidar, Mohammed
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 below.