A New Approach to Studying the Hidden Microbiome

Most microbiome studies rely on fecal samples, even though these reflect only the final stage of digestion. Many microbial communities, metabolites, enzymes, and molecular signals active in the upper gut do not survive the transition to stool.

InOut Biome™ is developing an ingestible sampling capsule intended for research use in humans and animals. The aim is to provide practical access to localized intestinal environments—capturing molecular signatures directly where they occur.

Why Localized Sampling Matters

Important biological processes occur upstream of the colon, including:

• Microbial co-occurrence and functional interactions
• pH-sensitive and oxygen-sensitive pathways
• Enzyme activity and metabolic transformation
• Region-specific microbial populations
• Early biochemical events not reflected in fecal material

These signals are often obscured or lost before reaching stool. Localized sampling allows them to be studied more directly.

The InOut Sampling Capsule

The capsule is an early-stage research platform designed to support scientific investigations of intestinal content.

Prototype features include:

• Targeted uptake of site-specific intestinal fluid
• Immediate activation of stabilization chemistry
• Formation of a low-oxygen internal environment
• Compact mechanical design suitable for ingestible research formats
• Modular adaptation for human or animal use
• A potential 3–5 day stability window, pending further study

Current development focuses on sampling behavior, internal conditions, and compatibility across sequencing and metabolomics workflows.

What We Aim to Preserve

and archaea
• Virome and fungal components
• Functional gene pathways
• Microbial co-occurrence patterns
• Compatibility with sequencing workflows such as:
– Shotgun metagenomics
– NGS (next-generation sequencing)
– Virome and fungal sequencing
– 16S rRNA sequencing, when applicable

Metabolites

Compatible with:
• LC-MS (liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry)
• GC-MS (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry)
• NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy)

Biochemical Signals

• Enzymes and intermediates
• Peptides and small molecules
• pH-sensitive and redox-sensitive environments

Performance studies are ongoing.

Research Applications

Human Research

The platform is being developed to support studies of:
• Small intestine and upper GI biology
• Metabolite and enzyme dynamics
• Microbial pathways and networks
• Regional differences within the gut
• Sequencing-based microbiome and functional gene analysis

Animal Research

Research use is supported for:
• Dogs
• Swine
• Other mammals

Applications may include nutrition, digestive biology, host–microbe interactions, and multi-omics investigations.Human Research

The platform is being developed to support studies of:

Small intestine and upper GI biology
Metabolite and enzyme dynamics
Microbial pathways and networks
Regional differences within the gut

Animal Research

Research use is supported for:

Dogs
Swine
Other mammals

Applications may include nutrition, digestive biology, host–microbe interactions, and multi-omics investigations.

Research-Focused Development

Areas of ongoing development include:

• Sampling performance
• Molecular preservation behavior
• Sequencing and metabolomics compatibility
• Cross-species study design
• Pilot-scale and exploratory studies

The technology is not a finished product and is not available for clinical, diagnostic, or commercial use.

Researchers interested in potential applications within their projects are welcome to connect.

InOut Biome holds issued and pending patents. Groups interested in research partnerships, developmental collaboration, or business engagement are invited to contact us.

InOut Biome, LLC Gut microbiome sampling

A New Approach to Studying the Hidden Microbiome

A New Approach to Studying the Hidden Microbiome

Why Localized Sampling Matters

The InOut Sampling Capsule

What We Aim to Preserve

Research Applications

Animal Research

Research-Focused Development

Thank you for your interest. Contact us at: info@inoutbiome.com