A Japanese research consortium led by Tokyo City University and the University of Tokyo described an implanted engineered skin "living sensor display" that fluoresces in response to internal biomarkers, including inflammatory cytokines, in mice. The work—published in Nature Communications—demonstrated continuous, implanted biomarker sensing without repeated blood draws. The biohybrid graft leverages skin regeneration to support long‑term monitoring and produces a visible readout, enabling intuitive interpretation outside clinical settings. Preclinical data showed sensitivity to cytokine levels and continuous signal persistence in animal models, positioning the technology as a potential platform for long‑term disease monitoring and early detection. Who’s involved: Tokyo City University, University of Tokyo, RIKEN, Canon Medical Systems; results reported in Nature Communications and institutional releases. The device remains preclinical, with translational steps and safety work needed before human use.
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