New IBD diagnostics could replace colonoscopy

There are about 90,000 people in the Netherlands who suffer from chronic intestinal inflammation, also known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). In itself, the current method for IBD diagnosis, the well-known colonoscopy, is fast and effective. That comes with a hefty price tag. The costs directly related to IBD are estimated at around 5 to 6 million euros per year, at European level. Costs incurred for admissions and the colonoscopy itself, but also outpatient care, procedures, check-ups and medication.

For the patients themselves, however, it is one of the less pleasant examinations. Not just because of the insertion of a camera into the intestinal tract. The fact that they have to fast for days before and have to take laxatives to empty the intestines is also experienced as unpleasant.

Cameraless IBD Diagnostics

The iGEM student team of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is now working on a new method for IBD diagnostics that are not only simpler and cheaper, but also a lot more pleasant for patients. IBDetection is a so-called ultrasound detection method. This means that the inflammation can be detected with a combination of an ultrasound device and safe intestinal bacteria.

“With IBDetection, we have adapted the intestinal bacterium E. coli in such a way that they produce gas bubbles when they come into contact with a so-called inflammation marker – a protein that is present in the intestine as a result of the inflammation,” explains Josephina Smits, team member of iGEM Eindhoven.

“These gas bubbles do not leave the bacteria. So it’s not like your whole gut swells up. The actual measurement is done by making two ultrasounds in quick succession and in the meantime using ultrasound to pop the bubbles in the bacteria. By comparing the images of both ultrasounds, you could then make the location of the inflammation visible,” explains Smits.

iGEM ​​Competition

The project of the TU/e ​​student team takes place within the worldwide iGEM Competition. Student teams are asked to solve an existing global problem with synthetic biology. The TU/e ​​team is supervised by professor Maarten Merkx

“The IGEM student team works across the boundaries of current biomedical technology. Developing gut bacteria as a sensor to detect intestinal inflammation at an early stage using ultrasound is a completely new way of diagnostics. It is incredibly clever what they achieve,” said the professor.