CRISPR-based HIV viral load test that works at the point of care
Official title: HIV Viral Load Testing Using CRISPR Cascade Signal Amplification
Funded at University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt · NIH-11378757 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, fast, affordable HIV viral load test using CRISPR signals designed to work outside centralized labs for people living with HIV or at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Farmington, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $655,858 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI194917-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378757 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV who need regular viral load monitoring or settings lacking centralized laboratory access.
✕Less likely to help
Patients in well-equipped clinics with existing high-throughput testing may not see immediate benefit from a point-of-care alternative.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a rapid HIV viral load test that can be used at the point of care by harnessing a CRISPR cascade signal amplification approach. It focuses on understanding how HIV RNA triggers CRISPR activation and developing a room-temperature detection method suitable for clinical samples. The team will integrate the assay into a microfluidic platform to keep the process simple and accessible for healthcare settings without bulky equipment. The goal is to provide a cost-effective tool that helps monitor ART effectiveness and detect rebound earlier in real-world patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from faster, more available HIV viral load testing that supports timely treatment decisions.
How similar studies have gone: Similar CRISPR-based diagnostics have shown promise, but this is a novel application aimed at HIV viral load with a portable device.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
Farmington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Changchun — University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
- Study coordinator: Liu, Changchun
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.