Scientists at Mass General Brigham and MIT have developed FIREFLI, a swallowable, light-emitting capsule that can detect intestinal inflammation noninvasively. Inspired by fireflies’ bioluminescence, the device lights up the gut and identifies areas of ischemia—where blood flow is restricted—by measuring changes in tissue luminance. In preclinical pig trials, FIREFLI achieved 98% sensitivity and 85% specificity in diagnosing acute mesenteric ischemia, a deadly yet often-missed condition. The innovation could one day help clinicians rapidly diagnose GI emergencies without imaging or invasive procedures.
Firefly-Inspired Pill Lights Up the Gut To Reveal Inflammation (Technology Networks)
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