Cell-free biosensors and metabolic modeling to enable field-ready diagnostics
Official title: Systems Biology to Unlock the Next Level of Cell-Free Synthetic Biology
Funded at Georgia Institute of Technology · NIH-11396418 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project at Georgia Tech is developing minimal equipment biosensors and metabolic models to detect nutritional deficiencies in resource-poor settings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 6, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $395,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM149286-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11396418 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals or communities at risk of nutritional deficiencies who could benefit from accessible diagnostic tools and biosensor-based monitoring.
✕Less likely to help
Some populations may not directly benefit if biosensors are not deployed in their setting or if the technology is not yet accessible.
What this research studies
The project uses metabolomics to map how metabolism changes over time and to build computational tools that turn those data into better models. It aims to create cell-free systems that can operate with little equipment to sense nutritional gaps in real-world environments. By combining experimental data with computer modeling, the team hopes to design field-ready biosensors that are accurate, affordable, and easy to deploy. This work could lead to practical tools for improving nutrition monitoring and health in underserved communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could yield low-cost biosensors and better predictive models to support nutrition monitoring and public health in low-resource areas.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in cell-free systems and metabolomics has shown promise in rapid, deployable biosensing, with ongoing efforts translating to field use.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Styczynski, Mark Philip-Walter — Georgia Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Styczynski, Mark Philip-Walter
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Integrative AI tools to map protein sequences to structures and functions
A scientist team will develop advanced AI methods to better connect protein sequences, their 3D shapes, and how they work, using large biological data from sequencing and structures.
-
Robotic ultrasound-guided clot removal for stroke treatment
A new robot-assisted ultrasound system is being developed to help quickly reopen brain arteries during a stroke, with testing in patient-specific 3D-printed models and animal studies.
-
siRNA nanoparticle treatment to stop diabetic kidney damage
A new nanoparticle-delivered gene-silencing treatment aims to lower kidney inflammation in people with diabetes to help protect their kidneys.
-
Nanosensor blood test to spot early pancreatic cancer fingerprints
This project will use a nanosensor blood test to detect early-stage pancreatic cancer by reading a disease 'fingerprint' in patient serum.
-
Synergistic blood-brain barrier opening and targeted glioma treatment with pulsed electric fields
A new approach uses tiny, rapid electric pulses to safely disrupt the brain's protective barrier and enhance targeted treatment for malignant glioma.
-
Dexterous needle ablation for ventricular arrhythmia guided by MRI
A new MRI-guided, robot-assisted catheter delivers deeper heart tissue ablation to treat ventricular tachycardia.
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.