Creating a new method to detect protein levels for health diagnostics
Official title: Synthetic biological systems for protein detection
Funded at Georgia Institute of Technology · NIH-11034143 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new, easy-to-use test that helps find out if someone has a lack of important nutrients, and it can be done with just a smartphone, making it perfect for places with limited resources.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $320,355 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB034301-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11034143 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children under 11 years old who may be at risk for micronutrient deficiencies or other health conditions that require protein monitoring.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with well-established diagnostic methods or those not requiring protein level monitoring may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a synthetic biology platform that allows for the detection of protein biomarkers related to micronutrient deficiencies using minimal equipment. By utilizing a split protein reporter system, the method can provide quick and cost-effective diagnostics that can be deployed in resource-limited settings. This approach not only targets nutritional deficiencies but also has the potential to be adapted for various diseases, making it a versatile tool for health monitoring. The technology is designed to be user-friendly, potentially allowing patients or healthcare workers to conduct tests with a smartphone application.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a simple and affordable way for patients to monitor their nutritional status and other health conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Similar approaches in synthetic biology have shown promise in diagnostics, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
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
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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.