New sensor to detect harmful bacterial toxins
Official title: Novel Biosensor for Detection of Endotoxin
Funded at Monod Bio, INC. · NIH-10822992 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new, easier way to detect harmful substances from certain bacteria, which is important for making safe medicines and medical devices, so that we can move away from using horseshoe crab blood for testing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Monod Bio, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $290,066 |
| NIH project number | 1R43TR004888-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10822992 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients receiving treatments or products that require endotoxin testing, such as those undergoing surgery or receiving biologic therapies, would benefit from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in treatments or products that require endotoxin testing may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel biosensor to detect bacterial endotoxins, which are toxic components found in the membranes of certain bacteria. The current testing methods rely on a resource-intensive process using horseshoe crab blood, which is not sustainable. The new biosensor aims to simplify the detection process into a single-step assay, making it easier and more efficient for use in pharmaceuticals and medical devices. By optimizing the sensitivity and stability of these sensors, the research seeks to provide a reliable alternative for endotoxin testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer pharmaceuticals and medical devices by providing a more efficient way to detect harmful endotoxins.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of developing a biosensor for endotoxin detection is innovative, similar biosensor technologies have shown promise in other areas of medical diagnostics.
Where this research is happening
-
Monod Bio, INC.
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Quijano Rubio, Alfredo — Monod Bio, INC.
- Study coordinator: Quijano Rubio, Alfredo
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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.