A new test to measure a specific protein modification linked to aging and disease.

An enzyme-based assay for the detection of carboxyethyl lysine-protein adducts

NIH-funded research Revel Pharmaceuticals INC. · NIH-10914230

This study is working on a quick and affordable test to measure a marker linked to aging and certain diseases, making it easier for doctors to keep track of conditions related to sugar levels in the body, just like the diabetes test many people know.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 1 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRevel Pharmaceuticals INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10914230 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a fast and cost-effective enzyme-based assay to measure Nε-carboxyethyl-lysine (CEL), a marker associated with aging and various diseases. The current methods for detecting CEL are slow and expensive, making them inaccessible for routine clinical use. By utilizing a newly discovered enzyme that oxidizes CEL, the researchers aim to create a simple test that can be performed quickly and at a lower cost, similar to the HbA1c test for diabetes. This advancement could facilitate better monitoring of glycation-related conditions and improve patient care.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing aging-related conditions or diseases associated with glycation and oxidative stress.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have aging-related conditions or diseases linked to glycation may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more accessible and affordable way to monitor aging and disease-related protein modifications, leading to better patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Similar approaches have shown promise in other areas of biomarker detection, indicating potential for success in this novel application.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.