A new blood test for quickly assessing hepatitis C virus levels and liver damage
Official title: A Novel Janus Bead Blood Assay for Point-of-Care Assessment of HCV Viral Load and Associated Liver Damage
Funded at University of Notre Dame · NIH-11134700 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new, easy blood test that can quickly check how much hepatitis C virus is in your body and how it's affecting your liver, making it especially helpful for people who might not have access to fancy labs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Notre Dame NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Notre Dame, United States) |
| Project start | July 8, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $195,625 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI180713-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11134700 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with hepatitis C virus who may be experiencing liver damage or are at risk for severe liver disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have hepatitis C virus or those with other unrelated liver conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel blood assay that can be used at the point of care to assess hepatitis C virus (HCV) viral load and associated liver damage. By integrating advanced imaging technology with a simple blood test, the goal is to provide rapid and accurate diagnostics for patients, especially in resource-limited settings. This approach aims to eliminate the need for complex laboratory tests that are often inaccessible to many patients. The study seeks to improve the diagnosis and treatment of HCV-related liver diseases, ultimately contributing to better patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to faster and more accessible diagnosis of hepatitis C, enabling timely treatment and potentially saving lives.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using point-of-care testing for HCV is established, the specific integration of smartphone imaging technology with blood assays represents a novel advancement in this field.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chang, Hsueh-Chia — University of Notre Dame
- Study coordinator: Chang, Hsueh-Chia
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.