Kyoto University researchers have engineered a synthetic protein, named Crunch, that reprograms innate immune phagocytic cells to selectively engulf and remove diseased living cells. This innovation adapts the body's natural clearance of apoptotic cells by modifying the Protein S adaptor molecule to recognize specific antigens on harmful cells, including cancer cells and autoimmune B cells. Demonstrated in vitro and in mouse models, Crunch reduces tumor growth and autoimmune complications, offering a widely adaptable therapeutic platform to target diverse diseases.