Scientists have engineered yogurt that can replace colonoscopies and other processes in detecting diseases.

Instead of different tests, eating a spoonful of yogurt could soon show if a person has colorectal cancer.

Sangeeta Bhatia, a professor at MIT, said eating the yogurt followed by a urine test could replace the usual processes that detect colon cancer, simplifying the process and lessening the cost.

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This new process works when nanoparticles Bhatia is developing find their way to tumors in a person's body. From there, the nanoparticles are broken up into smaller pieces by enzymes produced by cancer.

When they're broken up into fine bits, they're then collected and concentrated by the kidneys and can be excreted via urine.

As the nanoparticles interact with the cancer, they produce telltale biomarkers of whether or not the person has cancer.

Initially, lab equipment was used to analyze the urine samples, but Bhatia is now coming up with paper test similar to pregnancy tests.

The process for introducing the nanoparticles hasn't been completed, however. Injections are still required to place the nanoparticles in the body

She's now developing a better way to deliver the nanoparticles to the body. For this, she's modifying a certain type of bacteria found in yogurt that can interact with the tumor and produce the biomarkers.

She's tested it only in mice, and detected colorectal cancer and liver fibrosis.

She's also in the process of forming a company that can commercialize this new approach. She also states that since the process won't need any lab equipment -- reducing the costs significantly -- it can be helpful in poorer countries.

TagsYogurt, Sangeeta Bhatia