Bangladeshi Scientist Develops Smart Pill to Revolutionize Gut Health Tracking
Dr. Yasser Khan, an Assistant Professor at the University of Southern California (USC), is leading groundbreaking research in the field of AI-enabled medical devices. His latest innovation is a GPS-like ingestible smart pill, poised to revolutionize how we understand the intricate connection between the gut and the brain.
Imagine a pill you could swallow that would monitor your gut health, track your emotions, and even provide early warnings of potential neurological conditions, all without the need for invasive procedures. This technology, once the realm of science fiction, is now becoming a reality, thanks to Dr. Khan.
The Smart Pill: A Non-Invasive Window to the Brain
This innovative pill, smaller than the FDA-approved maximum size for ingestible devices, is packed with sensors designed to monitor a range of factors, from markers of gastritis to the neurochemicals associated with both emotions and neurodegenerative diseases. Once ingested, the pill travels through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
“The gut, often called the ‘second brain,’ houses around 100 million neurons. While this is fewer than the 85 billion neurons found in the brain, the gut plays a crucial role in our emotions and overall health,” Dr. Khan explains. The pill is engineered to measure gases, chemicals, and even neural activity as it progresses through the GI tract.
“The gut-brain axis is incredibly powerful,” Dr. Khan says. “By measuring activity in the gut, we can predict what’s happening in the brain. This could be a game-changer for diagnosing and treating neurological conditions without invasive procedures like brain implants.”
To track the pill’s location in the body, a wearable coil is worn on the stomach, creating a magnetic field. This allows for real-time monitoring via a mobile application.
From Benchtop to Human Trials
While the technology is still in its early stages, the results thus far are promising. Dr. Khan’s team has successfully tested the pill in benchtop experiments and is now ready to proceed to animal trials, specifically using rat models. “We’re currently testing on rat models, measuring both brain and gut activity,” he states. “If all goes well, we hope to begin human trials within the next five years.”
The potential applications for this smart pill are extensive. It could be used to diagnose conditions such as gastric cancer, monitor mental health, and even deliver targeted drug treatments directly to the areas where they are needed most. Remarkably, Dr. Khan is dedicated to making this technology accessible, with potential versions of the pill costing as little as $10.
A Vision for Accessible Healthcare
Dr. Khan’s passion for making cutting-edge medical technology available to everyone, including those in developing countries like Bangladesh, is a driving force behind his work. “We’re designing different versions of the pill,” he explains. “A basic model for tracking gastritis could cost just a few thousand taka, while more advanced versions for clinical use would be more expensive.”
His commitment and ingenuity have been recognized through prestigious awards. He was recently awarded the Packard Fellowship, an early-career award which recognizes groundbreaking research. “This is the biggest honor of my life,” he shares. “The Packard Foundation only supports work that has the potential to transform a field, and I’m thrilled they see the value in what we’re doing.”
Some well-known scientists and researchers, including David Baker, the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry recipient, are on the list of Packard Fellows. Dr. Khan’s accomplishments also include the 2025 Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator Award, the 2024 Packard Fellowship, and the 2023 Google Research Award.
Beyond the Smart Pill: Wearables and Brain Implants
The smart pill is just one facet of a series of projects underway in Dr. Khan’s lab. His team is also developing wearable devices to monitor mental states by measuring chemicals such as cortisol in sweat. These devices, which resemble a small bandage, could be used to manage conditions like depression and bipolar disorder.
“We want to create a new generation of wearable tech that can track mood, and help us understand mental health better,” Dr. Khan says. This wearable device is being developed in collaboration with the US National Institute of Health (NIH). Another project in his lab focuses on brain implants that measure neurochemicals, offering insights into conditions such as epilepsy. “Most brain implants measure neural activity, but we’re looking at the chemicals that regulate that activity,” Dr. Khan explains.
A Bangladeshi Scientist’s Journey
Dr. Khan, who joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at USC in 2022, earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Dallas. He later obtained an M.S. from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia. His Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences comes from the University of California, Berkeley, and he completed postdoctoral research at Stanford University.
“I left Bangladesh in 2008,” Dr. Khan shares, “but I hope this technology can one day benefit people back home, where access to affordable healthcare is so critical.” With a team of 24 researchers, including multiple graduates from various backgrounds, and three PhD students from Bangladesh, Dr Khan aspires to push the boundaries of what is possible in medical technology.
While acknowledging that the path to commercialization is lengthy, the potential impact of his work is enormous. “In five years, I hope you’ll be able to walk into a pharmacy, buy a smart pill, and get a full health diagnostic without ever stepping into a hospital,” he says. “That’s the future we’re working towards.”
For now, the world looks on as Dr. Yasser Khan and his team work to transform science fiction into reality.
