Overview
- Researchers at East China University of Science and Technology encapsulated heme-sensing bacteria and magnetic particles in sodium alginate hydrogel microspheres to protect the sensors during digestion.
- In mouse models of colitis, the sensors detected intestinal bleeding and produced a glow whose intensity rose with disease severity.
- After excretion, microspheres were magnetically retrieved from stool and analyzed in roughly 20–25 minutes, a marked speedup over earlier unencapsulated approaches.
- Healthy mice showed no immune response or adverse effects, and the team assessed the microspheres as biocompatible in initial animal testing.
- The authors and outside experts say human trials are needed to confirm safety and performance, with potential future use as a less invasive complement or alternative to colonoscopy and for detecting additional biomarkers.