Developing new tools to sense biological signals for better health.
Official title: Center for Biomedical Research Excellence in Multiscale Biomolecular Sensing (MBS)
Funded at University of Delaware · NIH-11018373 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new ways to spot and measure important biological signals in the body to help us better understand diseases like Alzheimer's and autoimmune disorders, with the hope of improving how we diagnose and treat patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Delaware NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $2,566,480 |
| NIH project number | 1P20GM156674-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11018373 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other neurodegenerative disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to biochemical signaling or those who do not have neurodegenerative diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating advanced tools to detect and measure biological signals that are crucial for understanding various diseases, including Alzheimer's and autoimmune disorders. By combining expertise from multiple scientific fields, the project aims to explore how biochemical processes occur at different scales, from molecules to entire organisms. The goal is to enhance our ability to sense these processes in real-time and in specific locations within the body, which could lead to improved diagnostics and treatments for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to breakthroughs in diagnosing and treating diseases like Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in using advanced sensing technologies to improve understanding and treatment of complex diseases, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Delaware
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Watson, Donald Allen — University of Delaware
- Study coordinator: Watson, Donald Allen
Related research
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Understanding how tiny cell messengers move in 3-D tissues to improve diagnostics
Researchers are studying how extracellular vesicles, tiny particles that carry disease signals, travel through gel-like tissues to improve noninvasive diagnostic tests.
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Center for Multiscale Biomolecular Sensing: New Equipment to Probe Disease Signals
A university center is getting equipment support to better measure chemical and biological signals across cells and tissues, with potential benefits for Alzheimer's, autoimmune diseases, and related conditions.
-
Delaware INBRE: Building Delaware’s Biomedical Research Network
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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.