Low-cost paper CRISPR test for cervical cancer screening
Official title: Low-Cost CRISPR-on-Paper for Cervical Cancer Screening at the Point of Care
Funded at University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt · NIH-11517886 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A cheap, paper-based CRISPR test is being developed to quickly find high-risk HPV types for women, especially in low-resource clinics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Farmington, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $442,788 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA269147-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11517886 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women eligible for cervical cancer screening, particularly those in low-resource or remote settings without access to lab-based PCR testing, are the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People who already have a confirmed cervical cancer diagnosis or who need tissue biopsy and treatment planning would not gain diagnostic benefit from this screening test alone.
What this research studies
This project aims to put a CRISPR-based HPV test onto a disposable paper cartridge that can detect multiple high-risk HPV types. The team will combine an all-in-one CRISPR-Cas12a amplification and detection method with paper microfluidics so results can be read without bulky lab machines. A chemical hand warmer will provide the heat needed so the test can run instrument-free at the point of care. Developers will optimize the test for accuracy, speed, and low cost so it can be used in clinics that lack standard PCR labs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could allow affordable, same-day HPV screening in clinics without laboratory equipment.
How similar studies have gone: CRISPR-based point-of-care diagnostics have shown promise for infections like COVID-19, but multiplex paper-based HPV screening is a newer application with limited prior clinical use.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
Farmington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Changchun — University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
- Study coordinator: Liu, Changchun
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
mSaada: a mobile tool to boost cervical cancer screening in western Kenya
A mobile app helps community health volunteers manage cervical cancer screening tasks and follow-up for women in low-resource areas.
-
HPV self-collection in HIV care to screen for cervical cancer in Ethiopia
A patient-centered program tests a simple HPV self-collection approach within HIV clinics in Ethiopia to help detect cervical cancer earlier.
-
HOPE-inG: Increasing cervical cancer screening for women with HIV in Ghana
A study tests a home-based HPV self-sampling approach plus a tailored communication plan to help women living with HIV in Ghana get screened more often for cervical cancer.
-
CODA-based cervical cancer screening for LMICs using CRISPR and fluorescence
A low-resource, rapid test called CODA uses CRISPR and light signals to detect cervical cancer markers in women in sub-Saharan Africa to improve screening.
-
CODA-based cervical cancer screening in low-resource settings
A new, quick, low-cost test using CRISPR and fluorescence readouts to help screen for cervical cancer in women in sub-Saharan Africa.
-
CATSystem: a digital tool to boost cervical cancer screening and follow-up in Kenya
A digital tracking system helps doctors and patients in Kenya improve cervical cancer screening, treatment referrals, and follow-up, especially for women living with HIV.
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.