Low-cost, label-free optical biosensor for quick health checks
Official title: Development of a low cost, label-free, and highly sensitive optical cavity-based biosensor for point-of-care diagnostics
Funded at Baylor University · NIH-11360038 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, affordable device uses light in a tiny cavity to detect disease markers at the patient’s side, helping people get faster information about their health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Waco, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $466,875 |
| NIH project number | 9R15CA313615-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11360038 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals who need frequent monitoring of biomarkers (e.g., infections or cardiovascular conditions) could directly benefit from point-of-care diagnostics.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to point-of-care testing or those who do not require biomarker monitoring may not benefit from this technology.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a bedside biosensor that can detect multiple biological markers in a drop of blood or other fluids without labels. It focuses on a highly sensitive optical cavity mechanism that can provide quick, quantitative results at point-of-care. By making the sensor low-cost and easily operated, patients could monitor health conditions such as infections or heart-related markers in real time, potentially guiding early treatment. The researchers will optimize materials, affinity binding, and signal processing to ensure accuracy in real-world settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could get fast, on-site health readings that support early treatment decisions and reduce the need for centralized lab testing.
How similar studies have gone: There is evidence that label-free optical biosensors can provide rapid results, but achieving robust, low-cost POC performance remains an area of active development.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor University
Waco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Seunghyun — Baylor University
- Study coordinator: Kim, Seunghyun
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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.