Pooling samples to test for infections faster
Group testing for infectious disease detection
This work uses pooled samples so labs can screen more people for infections like HIV and COVID-19 faster and with fewer tests.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Lincoln NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lincoln, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11127523 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Labs combine small amounts of many people’s samples into one pooled sample so the group can be tested at once. If a pooled sample is negative, everyone in that pool is cleared; if positive, individual samples from that pool are retested to find who is infected. Researchers apply statistical algorithms to choose pool sizes and testing steps that save tests while still finding positive cases. The methods are applied to real-world infections including HIV, common STIs, blood-borne viruses, and pandemic viruses like SARS-CoV-2 to expand lab capacity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People undergoing screening for infections—such as individuals being tested for HIV, COVID-19, STIs, or blood donors—are the ones most directly affected by pooled testing.
Not a fit: Patients who need immediate individual diagnostic results (for example, urgent symptomatic cases) or those in very high-prevalence settings where pooling is less effective may not benefit from pooled testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could let more people be screened faster and at lower cost, expanding access to testing and helping catch infections earlier.
How similar studies have performed: Pooled testing has been used successfully for blood-donor screening, some STI programs, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, though approaches are still being refined.
Where this research is happening
Lincoln, United States
- University of Nebraska Lincoln — Lincoln, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bilder, Christopher R — University of Nebraska Lincoln
- Study coordinator: Bilder, Christopher R
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 below.