Researchers at MIT, SMART, and collaborators developed the first fluorescent nanosensor capable of rapidly detecting indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), a gut microbiome metabolite linked to inflammation, IBD, diabetes, and liver disease. Unlike traditional mass spectrometry, the sensor delivers results within minutes and successfully distinguished healthy individuals from IBD patients in testing on 125 human plasma samples.
The technology could enable faster, more accessible gut health monitoring, point-of-care diagnostics, wearable sensors, and personalized nutrition or therapeutic tracking, potentially bringing real-time microbiome function assessment into clinical practice.