Researchers at Kyoto University’s Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences developed 'Crunch,' a synthetic protein-based therapeutic designed to selectively induce phagocytosis of unwanted living cells. By modifying Protein S to replace its natural dead-cell recognition domain with modular sensors targeting specific cell surface proteins, Crunch effectively flags harmful cells such as cancer or overactive immune cells for elimination. This novel approach harnesses the body’s innate waste disposal mechanisms to selectively remove pathogenic cells, confirmed in mouse models demonstrating targeted clearance.