Improving Diagnostics to Rapidly Detect and Genotype Evolving Viruses
Official title: DMS/NIGMS 1: Improving Modern Diagnostics: Detecting and Genotyping of Evolving Viral Pathogens
Funded at Iowa State University · NIH-11401230 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to develop faster, cheaper tests that can not only tell if a pathogen is present but also identify and characterize the exact virus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iowa State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ames, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $200,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM163242-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401230 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with suspected infectious diseases where rapid, broad-spectrum diagnostics would guide timely treatment.
✕Less likely to help
In cases where a patient’s infection is already well-characterized or where diagnostics are not limiting care, benefits may be limited.
What this research studies
This project aims to create universal diagnostic tests that can detect a wide range of pathogens and provide genomic information quickly. It will combine novel statistical models with sequencing-based approaches to design precise oligonucleotides and improve test performance as viruses evolve. The work will explore how to keep tests sensitive even when pathogens change and will iteratively refine a protocol for RNA virus detection. If successful, the methods could support better patient care and help public health monitor circulating strains more effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive faster and more accurate diagnoses and clinicians could tailor treatments based on viral genotypes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous advances in sequencing-based diagnostics have shown promise, but this work aims to further integrate modeling with protocol optimization for better performance.
Where this research is happening
-
Iowa State University
Ames, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dorman, Karin S — Iowa State University
- Study coordinator: Dorman, Karin S
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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.