Creating a new type of protein biosensor for quick health tests
Official title: De novo design of a generalizable protein biosensor platform for point-of-care testing
Funded at University of California Santa Cruz · NIH-11105866 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new type of test that uses special proteins to quickly and accurately check for health issues, like COVID-19, right at your doctor's office or even at home, so you can get the answers you need faster and easier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Santa Cruz NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Cruz, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R00EB031913-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11105866 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who require rapid diagnostic testing for conditions like COVID-19 or other infectious diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that do not require point-of-care testing or those who are not affected by the diseases targeted by the biosensors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a novel protein biosensor platform that can provide rapid and accurate diagnostic testing at the point-of-care, such as clinics or even at home. By utilizing advanced computational protein design, the researchers will create modular protein switches that can change shape in response to specific clinical targets, enabling quick detection of various health conditions, including COVID-19. The goal is to make these tests fast, inexpensive, and reliable, ultimately improving healthcare delivery and easing the burden on hospitals. Patients may benefit from having immediate access to diagnostic information, which can lead to timely treatment decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide patients with faster and more accessible diagnostic testing for various health conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in developing point-of-care diagnostic tools, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yeh, Hsien Wei — University of California Santa Cruz
- Study coordinator: Yeh, Hsien Wei
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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.