Affordable microchip technology for blood testing in sickle cell disease and anemia
Official title: Affordable, quantitative, point-of-care microchip-electrophoresis for screening and treatment monitoring of sickle cell disease, thalassemias, and anemias
Funded at Hemex Health, INC. · NIH-11042808 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new, affordable device that can quickly test your blood for sickle cell disease and other types of anemia right at your doctor's office, helping you and your healthcare team get important results faster for better care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hemex Health, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2018 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $990,891 |
| NIH project number | 5R44HL140739-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11042808 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with sickle cell disease, beta-thalassemia, or other forms of anemia, particularly those who require regular monitoring of their hemoglobin levels.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with anemia or blood disorders not related to hemoglobin variants may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a cost-effective microchip-electrophoresis device that can quickly and accurately screen for sickle cell disease, beta-thalassemia, and other anemias at the point of care. By enabling immediate blood tests, this technology aims to provide timely feedback to patients and healthcare providers, facilitating better management of these conditions. The approach involves using advanced microchip technology to analyze hemoglobin levels and types, which is crucial for monitoring treatment efficacy and making informed clinical decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the speed and accessibility of blood testing for patients with sickle cell disease and anemia, leading to better management and outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using point-of-care testing for blood disorders, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Hemex Health, INC.
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Galen, Peter — Hemex Health, INC.
- Study coordinator: Galen, Peter
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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.