Bangladeshi scientist Dr Yasser Khan, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Southern California (USC), is developing an ingestible smart pill designed to monitor gut health, track emotional changes, and potentially predict neurological conditions.
Dr. Khan, who was born in Chittagong and pursued higher education in the United States, is leading research in AI-enabled medical devices. His latest innovation—a GPS-like smart pill—aims to transform the understanding of the gut-brain connection by providing real-time data without invasive procedures.
The pill, which is smaller than the FDA-approved maximum size for ingestible devices, contains sensors to detect gastritis markers, neurochemicals linked to emotions, and potential indicators of neurodegenerative diseases.
“The gut, often referred to as the ‘second brain,’ contains approximately 100 million neurons. By analyzing its activity, we can gain insights into neurological conditions without needing invasive brain implants,” Dr Khan explained.
The device is designed to be swallowed and naturally pass through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract while transmitting data. A wearable coil placed on the stomach generates a magnetic field to track the pill’s position in real-time, allowing users to monitor results via a mobile application.
Dr. Khan’s research team has successfully conducted benchtop experiments and is currently testing the pill on rat models to measure brain and gut activity simultaneously. If these trials prove successful, human testing could begin within the next five years.
Potential applications of the smart pill include diagnosing gastric diseases, monitoring mental health conditions, and enabling targeted drug delivery. Dr. Khan aims to make the technology affordable, with basic versions of the pill projected to cost around $10.
Determined to make medical advancements accessible to developing nations, Dr. Khan is developing different pill models, with some versions costing only a few thousand Bangladeshi takas. “We want to ensure this technology reaches people who need it most,” he said.
In addition to the smart pill, Dr. Khan’s lab is developing wearable devices to monitor mental states by detecting chemicals such as cortisol in sweat. The project, currently in collaboration with the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), involves over 100 researchers. These bandage-like devices could offer new insights into mental health conditions such as depression and bipolar disorder.
Another area of his research focuses on brain implants capable of measuring neurochemicals, which could provide more precise insights into conditions like epilepsy. “Most brain implants track neural activity, but we are examining the chemicals that regulate those signals,” Dr. Khan said.
