It may make you squirm to think about it, but your insides are home to trillions of organisms from hundreds of different species. Scientists are studying this “gut microbiome” as a factor in a range of human health conditions, but current techniques could use some improvement.

“Gut microbes in humans are typically studied using stool samples, which inform about microbes in the colon,” says Professor Eric Diller (MIE). “While colonoscopy could allow for access deeper within the intestines, it is of course highly invasive. This means there is no simple, non-invasive method to sample within the small intestine, which is the most important area of the microbiome to study and observe.”

Diller and his team have a solution: a tiny magnetic capsule about the size of a vitamin pill. When swallowed by a patient, the capsule slowly works its way through the digestive system. When it gets to the desired point, it can be activated by holding a large magnet over the abdomen.

“The magnet opens a trap-door on the capsule, which then closes to tightly seal the sample inside,” says Diller. “The capsule can then be recovered from the stool and sent to a lab for analysis.”

The project is one of seven from across U of T Engineering to receive funding from the Connaught Innovation Awards, The Connaught Innovation Awards recognize and support innovations that have strong socio-economic or commercial potential. A total of 10 research teams from across U of T will share up to $500,000 in funding in this year’s cohort.

Diller and his team will use the funding to create an even smaller capsule that is easier to swallow, as well as to develop a way to track the capsule and enable samples to be taken at a more precise location.

“Tracking will be done using a vest of magnetic field sensors worn by the patient, as well as with ultrasound,” he says. “Along with project co-investigator John Parkinson at SickKids, we have already developed a prototype which we tested in animals, and we found that we could indeed collect samples with our non-invasive method.”

If successful, the tool could be invaluable to researchers as they continue to study the role of gut microbiota in all kinds of health conditions, from irritable bowel syndrome — which affects 226,000 Canadians — to diabetes.

The other six projects funded by this year’s Connaught Innovation Awards are:

• Energy-efficient coded-exposure-pixel cameras for accurate imaging without motion artifacts — Professors Roman Genov (ECE), Andreas Moshovos (ECE) and Kiriakos Kutulakos (Computer Science)
• Computational framework for fast uncertainty quantification and decision analytics — Professor Prasanth Nair (UTIAS)
• 2-ZYME: Two-step biocatalytic conversion of underused biorefinery side-streams to glucaric acid — Professor Emma Master (ChemE)
• Development of an automated system for blastocyst biopsy with minimal invasiveness in IVF clinics — Professor Yu Sun (MIE)
• Process Scale up for a novel method of nickel extraction — Professor Mansoor Barati (MSE)
• Iron fortification of tea — Professor Levente Diosady (ChemE)