Ingestible micro-pill to sample gut content from chosen GI sites
Official title: Ingestible Pill for spatially targeted sampling of gut microbiome
Funded at Tufts University Medford · NIH-11372111 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A tiny swallowable device will automatically collect gut samples from specific parts of the intestine, aiming to do so without 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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $747,661 |
| NIH project number | 5R33DK132314-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11372111 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older who may participate in GI-related research and sample collection studies.
✕Less likely to help
People with conditions that make GI sampling unsafe or impractical may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a swallowable micro-pill that can sample intestinal content at predetermined GI sites. It uses a miniaturized motor and sensors to decide when and where to collect samples based on pH and oxygen levels. The device runs on a coin cell battery and can be activated wirelessly if GI conditions are unusual. The goal is to improve how we study gut biology by obtaining targeted samples with less invasive methods.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from easier access to targeted gut samples for research and future diagnostics.
How similar studies have gone: Previous versions with osmotic sampling informed this design, suggesting potential feasibility.
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.