2025-06-27 カリフォルニア工科大学 (Caltech)
<関連情報>
- https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/new-smart-capsule-to-study-the-health-of-the-gi-tract
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41928-025-01407-0
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41563-024-02096-4
統合型スマートカプセルを用いた消化管の連続生化学プロファイリング Continuous biochemical profiling of the gastrointestinal tract using an integrated smart capsule
Jihong Min,Hyunah Ahn,Heather Lukas,Xiaotian Ma,Rinni Bhansali,Sung-Hyuk Sunwoo,Canran Wang,Yadong Xu,Dickson R. Yao,Gwangmook Kim,Zhaoping Li,Tzung K. Hsiai,Azita Emami,Hee-Tae Jung & Wei Gao
Nature Electronics Published:27 June 2025
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41928-025-01407-0
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract contains a wealth of chemical information that can be used to decipher the health of the digestive and nervous systems. Traditional methods of analysis, such as faecal analysis and biopsies, are invasive, costly and incapable of providing real-time metabolic and hormone profiling across the gastrointestinal tract. Commercial ingestible capsule sensors have been developed, but only monitor basic markers, such as pH and pressure, neglecting detailed chemical analysis. Here we report an integrated smart capsule that can simultaneously detect a spectrum of biochemical markers, including electrolytes, metabolites and hormones. The capsule, which is termed PillTrek, is 7 mm in diameter and 25 mm in length, and houses a miniaturized wireless electrochemical workstation capable of executing a range of electrochemical measurement techniques (potentiometry, amperometry, voltammetry and impedimetry), allowing it to interface with a variety of electrochemical sensors and detect various parameters in the gut. Using an array of sensors (serotonin, glucose, pH, ionic strength and temperature), we illustrate the capabilities of the system in vitro and in vivo in animal studies involving rat and rabbit models, monitoring the dynamic profile of these crucial biomarkers and their responsiveness to different dietary intakes.
ウェアラブルおよび埋め込み型センシングのための印刷可能な分子選択性コアシェルナノ粒子 Printable molecule-selective core–shell nanoparticles for wearable and implantable sensing
Minqiang Wang,Cui Ye,Yiran Yang,Daniel Mukasa,Canran Wang,Changhao Xu,Jihong Min,Samuel A. Solomon,Jiaobing Tu,Guofang Shen,Songsong Tang,Tzung K. Hsiai,Zhaoping Li,Jeannine S. McCune & Wei Gao
Nature Materials Published:03 February 2025
DOhttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-024-02096-4
Abstract
Wearable and implantable biosensors are pioneering new frontiers in precision medicine by enabling continuous biomolecule analysis for fundamental investigation and personalized health monitoring. However, their widespread adoption remains impeded by challenges such as the limited number of detectable targets, operational instability and production scalability. Here, to address these issues, we introduce printable core–shell nanoparticles with built-in dual functionality: a molecularly imprinted polymer shell for customizable target recognition, and a nickel hexacyanoferrate core for stable electrochemical transduction. Using inkjet printing with an optimized nanoparticle ink formulation, we demonstrate the mass production of robust and flexible biosensors capable of continuously monitoring a broad spectrum of biomarkers, including amino acids, vitamins, metabolites and drugs. We demonstrate their effectiveness in wearable metabolic monitoring of vitamin C, tryptophan and creatinine in individuals with long COVID. Additionally, we validate their utility in therapeutic drug monitoring for cancer patients and in a mouse model through providing real-time analysis of immunosuppressants such as busulfan, cyclophosphamide and mycophenolic acid.
