The discovery was made using a new Cellular Assay for Targeted CRISPR-discriminated Horizontal gene transfer (CATCH), designed by scientists from the University of California San Diego and their colleagues in Australia. 

Their innovation, which detected cancer in the colons of mice, could pave the way for new biosensors capable of identifying various infections, cancers and other diseases.

In the past, bacteria have been used to carry out various diagnostic and therapeutic functions. However, the method has so far lacked the ability to identify specific DNA sequences and mutations outside of cells. 

“As we started on this project four years ago, we weren’t even sure if using bacteria as a sensor for mammalian DNA was even possible,” said Dr Jeff Hasty, a professor at the University of California San Diego. “The detection of gastrointestinal cancers and precancerous lesions is an attractive clinical opportunity to apply this invention.”

Tumours are known...