A new test to quickly diagnose sexually transmitted infections at the point of care
3STEP: A swab-seal-read, point-of-care nucleic acid test to address disparity in STI screening and prevention
This study is working on a quick and easy test for sexually transmitted infections that can give results in under 35 minutes, especially for men who have sex with men and those in low-income communities, so they can get diagnosed and treated right at their local clinic in just one visit.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Salus Discovery, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-10820325 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a rapid, point-of-care nucleic acid test for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly targeting men who have sex with men and economically disadvantaged communities. The 3STEP test aims to provide accurate diagnostics in less than 35 minutes using a simple swab sample, making it accessible and easy to use in local clinics. By enabling immediate diagnosis and treatment during a single visit, this approach seeks to overcome barriers posed by traditional testing methods that often fail to reach the most affected populations.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include men who have sex with men and individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who may face barriers to traditional STI testing.
Not a fit: Patients who are not at risk for STIs or those who have access to traditional testing methods may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve STI screening and treatment accessibility for high-risk populations.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success with point-of-care testing for other conditions, indicating potential for this novel approach to improve STI diagnostics.
Where this research is happening
Madison, UNITED STATES
- Salus Discovery, LLC — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mullins, Brianna — Salus Discovery, LLC
- Study coordinator: Mullins, Brianna
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 below.