Secure Bio-Engineered Sensors for Disease Management

The objective of this project is to address the limitations in our current ability to measure disease biomarkers in the gastrointestinal tract. Unable to track the levels of these molecules, we have an incomplete picture of the process of inflammation, and thus cannot evaluate disease progression or how well treatments are working. To overcome gaps in the current diagnosis and monitoring of inflammatory bowel disease, we will use genetically engineered bacteria as devices to detect short-lived changes in the body’s response to this disease. Intestinal bacteria are already equipped with natural sensors, which continuously sense specific molecules. We will genetically engineer bacterial sensors and interface them with mixed-signal and radio frequency circuits to develop a miniaturized ingestible multi-diagnostic capsule for securely monitoring disease biomarkers and calibrating therapy in real time. By integrating circuits with biological cell sensing, we can diagnose, monitor, and eventually treat a range of diseases.

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