Engineered Probiotic Biosensors for Non-Invasive IBD Monitoring

The patent uses an engineered probiotic bacterium as an intermediary carrier that delivers a calprotectin-sensing system directly to the gastrointestinal tract. The bacterium expresses a promoter-calprotectin-reporter system that detects calprotectin levels in situ, providing accurate disease monitoring without requiring invasive endoscopic procedures. This intermediary approach bridges the gap between non-invasive stool collection and accurate disease assessment.

The patent employs a disposable engineered probiotic formulation that can be administered orally and transiently colonizes the gastrointestinal tract to perform disease monitoring. The probiotic bacterium serves as a temporary, single-use diagnostic tool that eliminates the need for expensive, resource-intensive endoscopic equipment and specialized medical facilities, making accurate IBD surveillance accessible in resource-limited settings.

The patent enables patients to perform self-monitoring by collecting their own stool samples at home, which are then analyzed using a simple assay for calprotectin levels. This self-service approach empowers patients to accurately assess their own disease activity without requiring clinical visits or subjective symptom reporting, combining the convenience of home monitoring with objective, precise biomarker measurement.