Automated at‑home HIV blood test that detects infection early
Official title: Development of an automated HIV self-testing assay
Funded at Florida Atlantic University · NIH-11291815 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A disposable, automated HIV self-test designed to find the virus early after exposure and if the virus rebounds for people with or at risk for HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida Atlantic University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boca Raton, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $643,157 |
| NIH project number | 5R33AI154643-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11291815 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults at risk for HIV exposure, people seeking earlier detection after a possible exposure, and people living with HIV on ART who are concerned about viral rebound and willing to provide small blood samples would be ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People who cannot or will not do finger‑prick blood collection, prefer non-blood testing approaches, or need immediate clinical management rather than home screening may not benefit from this test.
What this research studies
I could use a disposable, easy-to-use HIV self-test that aims to detect the virus from a small finger‑prick blood sample, including during the first two weeks after infection and if my virus rebounds on treatment. The researchers plan to build an automated microchip that selectively detects HIV in whole blood and can be made affordably. They will optimize the test’s sensitivity for acute infection and for people on antiretroviral therapy, then validate the device using blood samples and laboratory comparisons. If successful, the test would let me and others get earlier, clinic-free information than antibody-only home kits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could let people learn about new HIV infection or viral rebound sooner at home, improving timely linkage to care and treatment decisions.
How similar studies have gone: Current at‑home HIV tests measure antibodies and commonly miss very early infection and viral rebound, so viral‑detection self-tests are a novel approach with limited prior success in the home setting.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Asghar, Waseem — Florida Atlantic University
- Study coordinator: Asghar, Waseem
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.