Developing a home test for HIV detection using glucose meters
Official title: Towards point of care HIV detection using repurposed glucose meters
Funded at University of Massachusetts Lowell · NIH-10899285 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way for people living with HIV to easily check their viral load at home using a simple finger prick and a regular glucose meter, making it quick and private to keep track of their health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Lowell NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lowell, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2019 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $788,528 |
| NIH project number | 7R33AI140475-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10899285 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who are interested in self-monitoring their viral load.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have HIV or those who are not interested in self-testing may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to create a self-testing method for monitoring HIV viral load that can be done at home using repurposed glucose meters. By utilizing only a small sample of blood from a finger prick, the goal is to provide a quick and private way for individuals living with HIV to track their viral load. The project involves an interdisciplinary team that has previously succeeded in using similar technology for other viruses, and it focuses on detecting HIV protease activity to estimate viral load. The data collected from these tests could also help healthcare providers and policymakers understand the effectiveness of new treatments and interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could empower patients with HIV to monitor their health more effectively and reduce the risk of new infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using repurposed glucose meters for detecting other viruses, indicating a promising approach for this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Iyer, Suri Saranathan — University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Study coordinator: Iyer, Suri Saranathan
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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.