Mess-free detection: a robust, antibody-free platform for multiplexed protein tests
Official title: Hyperstable and modular de novo binder-luciferase platform for multiplexed imaging, detection, and diagnostics
Funded at University of California Santa Cruz · NIH-11438872 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores a new, highly stable designer protein and luciferase system to detect proteins at the point of care without antibodies, using multiple signals for better diagnostics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Santa Cruz NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Cruz, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $234,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EB039863-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11438872 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals whose clinicians need rapid biomarker tests (e.g., GPCR-related conditions or PD-L1 status) or labs seeking non-antibody-based assays.
✕Less likely to help
Patients in settings without access to necessary devices or where protein targets are not yet covered by the platform may not benefit.
What this research studies
The project aims to replace traditional antibodies with de novo binders that are thermostable and highly specific, enabling reliable protein detection. It will couple these binders to a modular luciferase readout and develop single-chain probes for easy, scalable assays. The team plans to test this in western blots and lateral flow assays, with multi-channel readouts from color and light signals to distinguish several targets at once. The platform is designed for ambient-temperature use, making point-of-care testing more practical in diverse settings. The work will focus on biomarkers such as GPCRs and PD-L1 to demonstrate real-world applicability.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from faster, cheaper, and more accurate point-of-care tests for multiple diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work with de novo binders and luciferase-based detection has shown promising results, but this approach is novel in its integration for multiplexed WB and LFA readouts.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yeh, Hsien Wei — University of California Santa Cruz
- Study coordinator: Yeh, Hsien Wei
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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.