Why Defense Departments Invest in Engineered Bacterial Sensors for Distant Signals?

Context

A recent breakthrough at MIT enables bacteria to emit detectable hyperspectral signals (Note 1) from distances of up to 295 feet, representing a significant advancement with military applications that extend beyond its stated agricultural uses (dual-use). Although primarily presented as an agricultural innovation, the funding sources—the U.S. Department of Defense, Army Research Office, and Israel's Ministry of Defense—reveal its strategic importance within national security contexts.

Our article explores why defense departments worldwide are investing in this technology, highlighting how engineered bacterial sensors support military objectives in surveillance, threat detection, and force protection.

What Are Engineered Bacterial Sensors?

Engineered bacterial sensors are bacteria that have been genetically modified to detect specific substances or conditions, such as pollutants, nutrients, or disease biomarkers. These sensors are designed to produce detectable signals, such as light or color changes, that can be monitored remotely. Their applications span multiple fields, including:

• Agriculture: Monitoring soil nutrients or detecting pests.
• Environmental Monitoring: Identifying pollutants like heavy metals or toxins.
• Medical Diagnostics: Sensing disease markers in the human body.
• Military: surveillance, threat detection, and force protection

Connection to Synthetic Biology

Engineered bacterial sensors belong to a subset of synthetic biology, which focuses on designing and constructing new biological parts or systems. Investment firms are actively supporting synthetic biology companies, including those developing synthetic gene circuits and cell therapies. These technologies overlap with or are adjacent to bacterial sensor development, indicating that firms investing in synthetic biology are also backing engineered bacterial sensors.

This versatility and potential for innovation make engineered bacterial sensors an attractive target for investment and start-ups looking to engage in research and development in this field, alongside artificial intelligence (AI). 

Note 2: Firms Investing in Synthetic Biology Combined with AI).

Biological Intelligence Systems: Microbes as Covert Surveillance Tools

The development of bacteria that can produce remotely detectable signals represents a "revolutionary" approach to surveillance and intelligence gathering. Defense departments see great potential in deploying these "living sensors" for covert monitoring applications.

Self-Sustaining Surveillance Networks

DARPA's Project Tellus explicitly aims to develop microbes as miniature intelligence assets. These microbial spies remain dormant until triggered by specific stimuli, then emit detectable signals that alert military forces to enemy activities. "Project Tellus, named after the Roman goddess of the Earth, seeks to establish the range of chemical and physical signals that microbial devices can detect, the environmental conditions they can tolerate, and the types of output signals that can be generated," according to DARPA documents. The ability to create self-powering surveillance systems that require "no outside power source, or even attention or care" makes these biological sensors particularly appealing for long-term deployments in remote or hostile territories.

MIT technology overcomes a critical limitation in previous bacterial sensor designs by facilitating remote detection. As Christopher Voigt, head of MIT's Department of Biological Engineering, explains, "If you're standing next to it, you can't see anything with the naked eye, but from hundreds of meters away, using specific cameras, you can obtain the information when it activates." This breakthrough transforms bacterial sensors from laboratory curiosities into practical field assets that could be monitored via drones or satellites.

Covert Intelligence Gathering

These bacterial sensors offer unique advantages for intelligence gathering in contested environments. Once deployed, they become virtually invisible components of the natural environment, making them ideal for covert operations. DARPA envisions microbes that could silently track activities such as "tanks crossing a border" or "a nuclear power plant starting up. " The signals emitted would be "in plain sight yet subtle in nature, just noticeable enough to trigger warnings, preventing the adversary from knowing it is being monitored."

Threat Detection: From Explosives to Biological Weapons

Defense departments have clear security interests in developing advanced detection systems for various threats, where bacterial sensors offer distinctive capabilities.
Underground Explosive Detection

Raytheon BBN Technologies has received DARPA funding to develop bacteria-based sensors specifically designed to detect underground explosives. This project aims to create various types of bacteria capable of detecting explosives buried underground and signaling their location by glowing. The principal investigator for this program explained that bacterial biosensors are sensitive and can detect the chemicals right at the source, presenting a solution to the critical military problem of buried explosives.

The MIT technology directly addresses the limitations of earlier bacterial sensor designs by enabling detection from considerable distances. This advancement makes bacterial sensors for explosives detection significantly more practical for field deployment, as they can be monitored safely from a distance using drones equipped with hyperspectral cameras.

Chemical and Biological Threat Monitoring

The Defense Department's Chemical and Biological Defense Program (CBDP) invests in technologies that can detect and respond to CB hazards. Engineered bacteria could serve as early warning systems for chemical or biological attacks by detecting dangerous agents in the environment before they affect personnel. The adaptability of the MIT platform is particularly valuable, as its modular design means "you can plug and play whichever sensor you want," according to researcher Yonatan Chemla.
Force Protection and Operational Security

Military operations require multiple layers of protection for personnel and assets, and biological sensing technologies provide innovative solutions.
Perimeter Security and Base Protection

Engineered bacterial sensors could be deployed around military installations or forward operating bases to detect unauthorized intrusions or hazardous materials. Their ability to function without maintenance or power makes them ideal for creating invisible security perimeters that can alert forces to potential threats without disclosing the presence of conventional security systems.
Protection Against Microbial Threats

The Department of Defense has previously invested in biological solutions to protect military personnel, as evidenced by its $1.75 million grant to Ginkgo Bioworks to develop a probiotic vaccine against traveler's diarrhea. This condition can "severely hamper soldiers' field operations," making it "a significant problem" for military deployments. This demonstrates the DOD's willingness to fund biological technologies that address health threats to force readiness.
Environmental Intelligence for Military Operations

Understanding environmental conditions is critical for military planning and operations, and bacterial sensors provide new capabilities in this domain.

Terrain and Environmental Assessment

Military operations require detailed information about environmental conditions. Bacterial sensors could be deployed to monitor soil and water quality, detect contaminants or hazards, and provide real-time data about conditions in potential operational areas. The MIT technology enables the monitoring of these sensors from drones or satellites, allowing for remote assessment of environments without putting personnel at risk.

Resource Monitoring in Contested Areas

Monitoring resources like water quality or soil composition can provide tactical advantages in conflict zones. Bacterial sensors could detect changes in these resources that might indicate enemy activities or environmental hazards. The ability to detect these signals remotely, as enabled by MIT technology, makes this information accessible without requiring troops to collect samples physically.

Technological Sovereignty and Defensive Capabilities

Nations invest in advanced biotechnologies for broader strategic reasons beyond specific tactical applications.

Maintaining Technological Advantage

Defense funding for cutting-edge biotechnology research helps maintain national technological superiority. The DISARM system discovered by researchers represents "a new defence system" that is "widespread in bacteria and archaea" and could potentially be harnessed for defense applications. By supporting foundational research in synthetic biology, defense departments help ensure their nations remain at the forefront of emerging technologies with strategic implications.

Dual-Use Technologies

Many defense-funded technologies have both military and civilian applications. While funded by defense departments, the MIT bacterial sensors could benefit agriculture by monitoring crop health and soil nutrients. This dual-use characteristic makes investments more justifiable, contributing to national security and economic development.

To Finish

The MIT breakthrough in remotely detectable bacterial sensors represents a significant advancement in biological sensing technology with clear military applications. Defense departments fund such research because engineered bacteria offer unique surveillance, threat detection, and force protection capabilities that conventional technologies cannot match. These living sensors can operate autonomously without power sources, remain virtually undetectable, and provide persistent monitoring in various environments.

As this technology continues to develop, we can expect increasing integration of biological sensing capabilities into military systems. The MIT platform's modular nature makes it adaptable to detecting various threats, from explosives to chemical weapons. At the same time, its remote detection capability transforms bacterial sensors from laboratory curiosities into practical field assets.

Substantial funding from defense departments suggests these agencies recognize the strategic importance of this technology. One researcher noted that DARPA's bacterial sensors for explosives detection: "Whereas current systems require personnel to be deployed on-site or can be less sensitive, biosensors could eventually be a safer option for detection." This safety advantage, combined with the technology's versatility and covert nature, explains why defense departments see engineered bacterial sensors as a worthwhile investment in the future of national security.

Note

1. Hyperspectral Signal 

Is data collected by capturing images across numerous wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, often hundreds of bands. Unlike traditional imaging, which uses a few broad bands (e.g., red, green, blue), hyperspectral imaging provides detailed spectral information for each pixel. This allows for precise identification of materials, as different substances reflect or absorb light uniquely at various wavelengths. Applications include remote sensing, where it helps detect minerals, vegetation, or pollutants, and medical imaging for tissue analysis.

2. Firms Investing in Synthetic Biology Combined with AI

Synthetic biology and artificial intelligence (AI) are two cutting-edge fields that, when combined, hold immense potential for innovation in areas like healthcare, agriculture, and industrial manufacturing. Several firms are actively investing in this intersection, leveraging AI to enhance the design, simulation, and optimization of biological systems. Below is an overview of notable companies and organizations involved in this space:

• Ginkgo Bioworks

Overview: Ginkgo Bioworks is a leading synthetic biology company that designs custom organisms for various applications, such as producing chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food ingredients.

AI Integration: Ginkgo uses AI and machine learning to analyze vast biological datasets, optimize genetic engineering processes, and accelerate the development of new organisms. Their platform relies heavily on automation and data-driven insights, making AI a core component of their workflow.

Investment Focus: Ginkgo has raised significant funding (e.g., over $800 million in a 2021 SPAC deal) and collaborates with tech-driven partners to scale its AI-enhanced bioengineering capabilities.

• Zymergen (Acquired by Ginkgo Bioworks in 2022)

Overview: Before its acquisition, Zymergen was a synthetic biology firm focused on creating high-performance materials using engineered microbes.

AI Integration: Zymergen employed AI to predict molecular structures and optimize microbial strains, reducing trial-and-error in bioengineering.

Investment Insight: While now part of Ginkgo, Zymergen’s AI-driven approach exemplifies how firms are investing in this convergence, with its technology continuing under Ginkgo’s umbrella.

• Synthace

Overview: Synthace provides a cloud-based platform called Antha, which streamlines synthetic biology experiments.

AI Integration: The platform integrates AI to automate experimental design, analyze results, and optimize biological workflows, making it a tool for researchers combining synthetic biology with computational intelligence.

Investment Focus: Synthace has attracted funding from venture capital firms like Sofinnova Partners, signaling strong interest in AI-powered synthetic biology tools.

• DeepMind (Alphabet)

Overview: DeepMind, a subsidiary of Alphabet, is renowned for its AI research, notably its AlphaFold system for protein structure prediction.

AI Integration: AlphaFold has revolutionized synthetic biology by enabling scientists to design proteins and enzymes with unprecedented precision, a key application in synthetic biology.

Investment Insight: Alphabet’s deep investment in AI (billions annually across its portfolio) indirectly supports synthetic biology advancements through DeepMind’s tools, which are widely adopted by biotech firms.

• Microsoft (via AI for Good Initiative)

Overview: Microsoft collaborates with synthetic biology firms through its AI for Good program and Azure cloud platform.

AI Integration: Microsoft provides AI tools and computing power to companies like Ginkgo Bioworks, enabling them to simulate and model biological systems at scale.

Investment Focus: While not a direct synthetic biology firm, Microsoft’s strategic investments in AI infrastructure support the field’s growth, with partnerships enhancing biotech innovation.

• Insitro

Overview: Insitro is a biotech company focused on drug discovery and development using synthetic biology and AI.

AI Integration: The company combines machine learning with synthetic biology to engineer cellular models and predict drug outcomes, streamlining pharmaceutical research.

Investment Insight: Insitro has raised over $600 million from investors like Andreessen Horowitz, reflecting strong backing for its AI-synthetic biology hybrid approach.

• BenevolentAI

Overview: BenevolentAI uses AI to accelerate drug discovery, with applications overlapping into synthetic biology.

AI Integration: The firm leverages AI to design novel molecules and biological pathways, which can be synthesized using synthetic biology techniques.

Investment Focus: With funding exceeding $450 million, BenevolentAI exemplifies how AI-driven firms are branching into synthetic biology-related areas.

Trends and Observations

Venture Capital Interest: The convergence of synthetic biology and AI has drawn significant investment from venture capital firms, such as SoftBank, Temasek, and Horizons Ventures, which see the potential for disruptive technologies.

Applications: These firms are targeting diverse sectors, including:

Healthcare: Drug discovery and personalized medicine (e.g., Insitro, BenevolentAI).

Sustainability: Bio-based materials and fuels (e.g., Ginkgo, Zymergen).

Research Tools: Platforms for scientists (e.g., Synthace, DeepMind).

Collaborative Ecosystems: Many firms partner with tech giants (e.g., Microsoft, Google) to leverage AI expertise, amplifying their synthetic biology efforts.

References

1. Trafton, A. (2025, April 11). Engineered bacteria emit signals that can be spotted from a distance. MIT News. Retrieved from https://news.mit.edu/2025/engineered-bacteria-emit-signals-spotted-from-distance-0411.
2. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). (2023, August 3). DARPA's Tellus tests microbe-based sensing technology. Retrieved from https://www.asme.org/topics-resources/content/simple,-sophisticated-sensing-systems-collect-critical-information
3. PR Newswire. (2019, November 12). Raytheon is developing a microscopic bomb detector. Retrieved from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/raytheon-developing-microscopic-bomb-detector-300955752.html
4. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). (2024, August 2). Chemical and biological defense. Retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/archive/science-and-technology/chemical-and-biological-defense
5. U.S. Department of Defense Comptroller. (2024). Chemical and Biological Defense Program (CBDP) - Justification Book. Retrieved from https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/defbudget/fy2024/budget_justification/pdfs/02_Procurement/PROC_CBDP_PB_2024.pdf
6. Bing, Zhang (2017) "Current Status and Future Prospects of Remote Sensing," Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version): Vol. 32 : Iss. 7 , Article 12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.16418/j.issn.1000-3045.2017.07.012 Available at: https://bulletinofcas.researchcommons.org/journal/vol32/iss7/12
7. Goetz, A. F. H. (2009). Three decades of hyperspectral remote sensing of the Earth: A personal perspective. Remote Sensing of Environment, 113, S5-S16.

Final Remarks  

A group of friends from “Organizational DNA Labs” (a private group) compiled references and notes from various theses, authors, media, and academics for this article and analysis. We also utilized AI platforms such as Gemini, Perplexity, Storm, Grok, Open-Source ChatGPT, and Grammarly as research assistants to save time and ensure our expressions' structural and logical coherence. Using these platforms, we aim to verify information from multiple sources and validate it through academic databases and equity firm analysts with whom we have collaborated. The references and notes in this work provide a comprehensive list of our sources. As a researcher and editor, I have taken great care to ensure that all sources are correctly cited and that the authors receive recognition for their contributions. The content is primarily based on our compilation, analysis, and synthesis of these sources. The summaries and inferences reflect our dedication and motivation to expand and share knowledge or information. While we have drawn from high-quality sources to inform our perspective, the conclusion represents our views and understanding of the topics covered, which evolve through ongoing learning and literature reviews in this business field.