Developing a sensitive tool to detect individual biological targets.
Official title: A Bipolar Electrochemical Single Entity Bioanalyzer
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10904859 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new, super-sensitive tool that can find tiny amounts of important markers in your blood that could help doctors spot diseases like cancer earlier and more accurately.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $217,922 |
| NIH project number | 5R21GM149994-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10904859 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions that produce low-concentration biomarkers, such as certain cancers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that do not involve detectable biomarkers or those whose biomarkers are present in sufficient quantities for existing detection methods may not benefit.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a highly sensitive electrochemical platform that can detect and quantify individual biological species, such as cancer biomarkers, which are often present in very low concentrations. By utilizing advanced optical microscopy and bipolar microelectrode arrays, the project aims to improve the detection capabilities beyond current methods. Patients may benefit from this technology as it could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses of diseases by identifying specific biological markers in their blood or other samples.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enable earlier detection of diseases through improved identification of critical biomarkers.
How similar studies have gone: Similar approaches in developing sensitive detection technologies have shown promise in other biomedical research, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Bo — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Bo
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Making genetic testing more accessible to the public
This study is all about making it easier for people at risk of certain cancers, like breast, ovarian, and colon cancers, to get genetic testing, so we can find out what helps them access these important services and understand how they can benefit from them.
-
Breast cancer diagnosis in low-resource settings using millifluidics and fast digital imaging in Ghana
A new project will test a fast, low-cost way to diagnose breast cancer at the point of care in Ghana using small-batch fluidics and direct digital imaging.
-
Binaural Hearing and Speech in Noise in Children
This project explores how children hear speech in noisy classrooms using how the two ears work together to see if binaural processing differences explain why some kids struggle more than others.
-
Neural circuits that control pain aversion in the brain
Researchers are exploring how a specific brain area helps people feel and avoid pain, with potential to lead to better pain treatments.
-
United World Antiviral Research Network (UWARN)
A collaborative, international effort is testing new virus surveillance and evolution ideas to help people living with HIV and communities in LMICs stay safer from current and emerging viruses.
-
HF endotypes in heart failure using ethical multi-modal AI and molecular data
A patient-friendly project that uses advanced AI and multiple kinds of health data to identify distinct heart failure subtypes that could guide personalized care.
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.