In a groundbreaking announcement on December 16, researchers at IIT Delhi unveiled an innovative ingestible device capable of directly sampling bacteria from the small intestine, paving the way for deeper insights into the human gut microbiome.

While not all bacteria are harmful, it is noteworthy that nearly half of the cells in the human body are microbial. These microorganisms inhabit our gut, aiding in food digestion, mood regulation, and immune system strengthening.

However, studying these microbes has posed significant challenges. Current methods are either invasive, like endoscopy or ileostomy, or indirect, relying on stool samples that fail to accurately represent conditions earlier in the digestive tract.

This new device, resembling a tiny pill, remains closed in the stomach and only opens in the intestine to collect bacterial samples. It then seals itself to protect the samples as they travel through the gut, as indicated by research conducted in collaboration with AIIMS, Delhi and supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

“Describing the vast universe of living microbes within us as hidden is not just an exaggeration; it’s a scientific truth. Much like we deploy rovers to explore the cosmos, we require miniaturized devices to examine the inner workings of our bodies,” stated Prof. Sarvesh Kumar Srivastava, Principal Investigator at the Medical Microdevices and Medicine Laboratory (3MLab), CBME, IIT Delhi.

The prototype is designed to autonomously collect microbes from specific areas of the upper GI tract, enabling species-level identification of resident microbes and other biomarkers, according to Srivastava.

Constructed with an enteric-coated gelatin cap, this device is protected in the acidic environment of the stomach (pH 1-1.5) and disintegrates in the intestinal pH (3-5). It features an inlet connected to activation and sampling chambers, allowing for the entry of luminal fluid.

The gut-sampling technology, detailed in the journal Small, has been validated in animal models, utilizing a microdevice no larger than a grain of rice, demonstrating promising results without causing tissue damage or inflammation.

“The small intestine is vital for health and disease. Gaining insights into the microbes and chemicals released in this area could be crucial for early disease detection, chronic disease management, and the development of more targeted therapies,” remarked co-senior author Dr. Samagra Agarwal from the Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition Unit at AIIMS New Delhi.

The researchers are committed to advancing this platform technology for the benefit of Indian patients in clinical settings, pending necessary approvals.