A new self-test for detecting HIV using a finger prick blood sample.
Official title: Nanopore-Based HIV Self-Test for Ultrasensitive p24 Quantification in FingerPrick Blood
Funded at University of Massachusetts Amherst · NIH-11236112 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new, easy-to-use home test for HIV that lets you take a tiny blood sample from your finger to check for the virus, helping people find out their status more accurately and privately, especially during early infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hadley, United States) |
| Project start | January 18, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $410,263 |
| NIH project number | 7R61AI174295-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11236112 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who are at risk of HIV infection or those who wish to know their HIV status, particularly in settings where traditional testing may not be readily available.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are already diagnosed with HIV and are receiving treatment may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a nanopore-based self-test for HIV that allows individuals to collect a small blood sample from their finger and test it for the presence of HIV antigens. The goal is to improve the sensitivity of HIV testing, particularly for acute infections that current tests may miss. By enabling self-testing, the research aims to increase accessibility to HIV testing, allowing individuals to know their status in the privacy of their own homes. This approach could significantly enhance early detection and reduce the transmission of HIV.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and accessible HIV testing, helping to identify infections earlier and reduce transmission rates.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been advancements in HIV testing technologies, this specific nanopore-based approach for self-testing is relatively novel and has not been widely tested in the past.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Hadley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Chang — University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Study coordinator: Liu, Chang
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
New England Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (NEWVEC)
A center in New England will develop and test practical ways to prevent tick bites and reduce diseases from ticks, while training public health workers and engaging communities.
-
Understanding how minority stress affects cannabis use in sexual minorities
A research project follows young adult sexual minorities to see how daily stress and coping help explain cannabis use and related problems.
-
A non-contact way to measure stiffness in hydrogel scaffolds for tissue engineering
A new method uses 2D acoustic force elastography microscopy to measure how stiff hydrogel scaffolds are, without touching them, to help tissue engineering efforts.
-
Automated neural identification across species and development
A computer-driven project to map and track every neuron in molluscs’ brains as they grow and evolve, to better understand how brains stay organized over time.
-
Nanopore Tweezers to Study Kinase Movements and Find Allosteric Inhibitors in Cancers
A new technology uses nanopore tweezers to watch how cancer-related kinases move in real time and to screen for drugs that stop them by binding at sites away from the active site.
-
Promesa: Urban gardens and peer nutrition to help people with HIV in the Dominican Republic
A unified program uses urban gardening and peer nutrition counseling to help people living with HIV who are food insecure in the Dominican Republic improve their health and HIV outcomes.
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.