High-throughput DNA/RNA synthesis capability for cutting-edge nucleic acid research
Official title: Enhancing Multi-User Nucleic Acid Research Capabilities Through Acquisition of a High-Throughput Oligonucleotide Synthesizer
Funded at Carnegie-Mellon University · NIH-11420714 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A university lab is funding a high-speed DNA/RNA synthesis system to empower multiple local researchers to create custom oligonucleotides more cheaply and quickly.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Carnegie-Mellon University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $349,500 |
| NIH project number | 1S15OD042561-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11420714 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
No direct patient participation; this is an infrastructure grant for research.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient participation is not part of this grant.
What this research studies
This grant funds the purchase of a 24+8 position oligonucleotide synthesizer to establish in-house nucleic acid synthesis capabilities at CMU. It will support multiple CNAS and CMA research groups and expand access for the Pittsburgh research community. By enabling high-throughput, modified oligonucleotide production, it aims to accelerate projects involving antisense technologies and nucleic acid biology. The setup includes automated workflows for synthesis, cleavage, purification, and modification, reducing reliance on external vendors. The work is infrastructure-focused but directly enables future studies that could involve human disease-related nucleic acid research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit indirectly through faster development of nucleic acid therapies and diagnostic tools.
How similar studies have gone: Other institutions have shown cost and time savings with in-house synthesis, though this is a novel scale for the region.
Where this research is happening
-
Carnegie-Mellon University
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Das, Subha Ranjan — Carnegie-Mellon University
- Study coordinator: Das, Subha Ranjan
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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.