OpenSPR-XT surface plasmon resonance instrument for teaching and research
Official title: Acquisition of a surface plasmon resonance instrument for research and teaching
Funded at University of Missouri-St. Louis · NIH-11365734 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new benchtop OpenSPR-XT instrument will let students and researchers at UMSL measure how strongly molecules bind to each other in real time, enhancing both teaching labs and basic biomedical projects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri-St. Louis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2026 |
| Project end | July 14, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $124,978 |
| NIH project number | 1S10GM164892-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11365734 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This grant would provide a user-friendly SPR instrument to the University of Missouri-St. Louis, expanding hands-on opportunities for students in biochemistry, chemistry, and biology courses. It enables real-time, label-free analysis of binding and kinetics for a variety of molecular interactions, benefiting numerous ongoing projects. The equipment will be integrated into upper-level and graduate labs to help students gain practical skills relevant to industry and research careers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, students and researchers will gain direct access to precise binding measurements, accelerating learning and potentially informing future experiments.
How similar studies have gone: SPR instruments have successfully advanced teaching and basic research in many institutions, including real-time binding analysis and kinetic measurements.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Missouri-St. Louis
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nichols, Michael R. — University of Missouri-St. Louis
- Study coordinator: Nichols, Michael R.
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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.