Abstract: The present invention includes an ex vivo model of an esophagus comprising: a well comprising a cellular growth media; a substrate comprising an apical surface and a nutrient-rich basal surface on which an air-liquid interface is formed at the media, wherein an epithelial layer is grown on the apical surface; and wherein a squamous epithelial layer of esophageal cells or cell lines is grown on the apical surface of the ex vivo system.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of detecting and treating a patient suspected of having Barrett's esophagus comprising: obtaining a biological sample from an esophagus of the patient; determining a microbiome in the biological sample by detecting the presence of bacteria by plasmid dilution verification or quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR); wherein if the patient has a microbiome indicative of an increased risk of esophageal cancer threating the patient with at least one of: removing at least part of the esophagus, esophagectomy probiotic therapy, or chemically targeting elimination of bacteria indicative of an increased risk of esophageal cancer.