Molecular heat sensors to measure tiny biomolecule reactions
Official title: Molecular Devices for Calorimetric Measurements
Funded at Northern Illinois University · NIH-11445081 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, low-sample calorimetry platform uses a fluorescent heat sensor to measure heat changes in biomolecule interactions with picomole quantities, helping researchers study binding and reaction mechanisms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northern Illinois University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (De Kalb, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $476,199 |
| NIH project number | 1R15GM163259-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11445081 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not a clinical study; human participants are not required or described.
✕Less likely to help
This project does not involve patient participation.
What this research studies
This project aims to make calorimetry accessible to more biochemistry and molecular biology labs by lowering the amount of material needed for measurements. Using a fluorescent heat-dosimeter sensor, the system will quantify heat changes in interactions between molecules in a homogeneous assay. The approach could enable more detailed studies of ligand–receptor binding and reaction energetics with much smaller samples than current methods. The development will target broad use across basic biotech research and drug discovery settings. If successful, researchers could obtain faster, cheaper insights into molecular interactions that underlie health sciences.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit indirectly through faster, more affordable research that informs drug design and understanding of biomolecular interactions.
How similar studies have gone: Existing calorimetry methods exist but require larger biomolecule amounts; this project proposes a novel, lower-input approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Northern Illinois University
De Kalb, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nesterova, Irina V — Northern Illinois University
- Study coordinator: Nesterova, Irina V
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.