Fast, easy HIV test that detects the virus early
Official title: CRISPR-Cas13-based rapid HIV-1 test
Funded at Rice University · NIH-11470778 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is building a quick, instrument-free HIV-1 test that can detect the virus in blood or saliva earlier than current rapid tests for people at risk of recent exposure or possible viral rebound.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rice University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | January 24, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $769,792 |
| NIH project number | 4R33AI167037-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11470778 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people with recent possible HIV exposure, those worried about acute infection, or people on treatment who want rapid checks for viral rebound.
✕Less likely to help
People with long-term, stably suppressed HIV who have undetectable viral RNA and people infected with HIV-2 (if the test targets HIV-1 only) may not get useful results from this test.
What this research studies
If I took part, the team would create a small, shelf-stable test that uses an engineered CRISPR-Cas13 enzyme to find HIV RNA in my blood or saliva. The test is designed to work without laboratory machines and uses lyophilized (freeze-dried) components so it can be stored at room temperature. Researchers will simplify the sample workflow to avoid complex RNA extraction and run lab validation studies with known samples. If successful, they will compare its sensitivity to current rapid tests and standard nucleic acid tests.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let people reliably find HIV infection or viral rebound much earlier with a simple, portable test.
How similar studies have gone: Related CRISPR-based diagnostics have shown promise for detecting other viruses like SARS-CoV-2, but a lyophilized, instrument-free CRISPR-Cas13 test for highly sensitive early HIV-1 detection is relatively new and experimental.
Where this research is happening
-
Rice University
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lillehoj, Peter B — Rice University
- Study coordinator: Lillehoj, Peter B
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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.