A breakthrough from Chinese researchers may one day replace colonoscopies with a glowing, bacteria-powered pill. In a new ACS Sensors study, scientists engineered a tiny capsule containing magnetized, heme-sensing bacteria that light up when they detect intestinal bleeding — a hallmark of colitis and other GI diseases.
After traveling through the gut, the pill’s biosensors can be retrieved from stool in minutes, and the intensity of their glow reflects disease severity. Early mouse data showed strong accuracy, no safety concerns, and the potential to diagnose gut inflammation without scopes, sedation, or bowel prep.
It’s still early-stage science — but if human trials succeed, this could redefine how GI clinicians screen, monitor, and triage patients.