École de Technologie Supérieure
Ph.D. candidate
Supervisor: Corinne Maurice
Ali Ahmadi, École de technologie supérieure
Start: 2023-09-05
End: 2028-08-31
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Project

The Development of an Electronic-Free Capsule for the Targeted Sampling of the Gut Microbiota
My project focused on developing a passive ingestible capsule capable of collecting samples from specific locations in the digestive system, using pH and enzymes for targeting. The goal of this capsule is to overcome the limitations of current methods, such as stool samples or colonoscopies, which are either imprecise or too invasive. I designed the capsule in SolidWorks and tested materials like hydrogels for their swelling, degradation, and sealing abilities. After in vitro testing for performance and biocompatibility, I planned to validate the capsule in vivo in pigs by analyzing the collected samples through DNA sequencing. By enabling targeted sampling at different locations in the digestive tract, this capsule will help improve our understanding of bacterial diversity and microbiota distribution throughout the gastrointestinal system. This project supports more accurate microbiome analysis and paves the way for better diagnosis and treatment of digestive diseases.

Keywords

Gut microbiota, Targeted, Sampling, Electronic-Free, Hydrogel Swelling, pH-sensitive