Stanford genomicist Michael Snyder found that a panel of 69 metabolites in peoples’ urine could predict who had pre-cancerous polyps in their colon. In 2020, he and collaborators published a test for 149 different metabolites in urine, with the goal of having others in the research community use it to study urine and potentially create new lab tests. They were able to see evidence of exercise, traces of particular food items, and even acetaminophen taken the night before—essentially a record of these people’s daily lives.
One major benefit to urine is that it’s readily available—and a more convenient way to monitor health than, say, daily blood draws. He and his colleagues have continued exploring toilet-based sensors that could regularly track metabolites in pee, aiding in precision medicine. Such sensors could alert doctors if a molecule that’s always been scarce in someone’s urine suddenly skyrockets, monitor a person’s diet in detail, and provide insight into how they metabolize drugs, for instance. They wants to help people understand the consequences of seemingly personal choices like diet—and raise awareness that pee can turn into toxic waste.
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