Gut Microbiome Redox Sensors With Ultrasonic Wake-Up and Galvanic Coupling Wireless Links

Spyridon Baltsavias, Will Van Treuren, Ahmed Sawaby, Sam W. Baker, Justin L. Sonnenburg, Amin Arbabian

Abstract: Tools to measure in vivo redox activity of the gut microbiome and its influence on host health are lacking. In this paper, we present the design of new in vivo gut oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) sensors for rodents, to study host-microbe and microbe-environment interactions throughout the gut. These are the first in vivo sensors to combine ultrasonic wake-up and galvanic coupling telemetry, allowing for sensor miniaturization, experiment flexibility, and robust wireless measurements in live rodents. A novel study of in situ ORP along the intestine reveals biogeographical redox features that the ORP sensors can uniquely access in future gut microbiome studies.