At-home saliva test to screen for insulin resistance in underserved communities
Official title: An At Home Dried Saliva Spot (DSS) Test to Determine Insulin Resistance: A Scalable Tool for Early Detection in Underserved Communities
Funded at Salimetrics, LLC · NIH-11348660 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new at-home saliva test checks insulin resistance to help identify people at risk for type 2 diabetes, especially in underserved areas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Salimetrics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (State College, United States) |
| Project start | August 6, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $213,640 |
| NIH project number | 1R43MD021487-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11348660 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults at risk for type 2 diabetes, especially those in underserved or rural communities who have limited access to blood-based testing.
✕Less likely to help
People who already have diagnosed diabetes or those unable to provide saliva samples may not benefit from this test.
What this research studies
This project tests a dried saliva spot method to measure insulin and glucose at home, which will help estimate a person’s insulin resistance. The approach aims to replace or supplement blood tests that require a clinic visit, making screening more accessible and convenient. The team will compare the saliva results to standard blood tests in diverse adults and assess how feasible and acceptable the at-home testing is for real-world use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this tool could enable earlier detection of diabetes risk and empower people in underserved communities to take preventive actions without frequent clinic visits.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed saliva-based measures can reflect insulin and glucose levels and are stable for mailing, supporting feasibility.
Where this research is happening
-
Salimetrics, LLC
State College, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Granger, Steven W — Salimetrics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Granger, Steven W
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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.