Portable lab-on-a-chip to measure Alzheimer's biomarkers
A lab-on-a-chip device for measuring multiple biochemical and biophysical biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease
A small, low-cost device that uses chemical and light-based signals from easy-to-get samples to look for signs of Alzheimer’s in people being evaluated for memory problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11310827 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would give a small, easy-to-get sample (like blood or saliva) and the team would run it on a tiny chip that reads both chemical and physical signals linked to Alzheimer’s. The device combines light-based measurements and new ideas about how protein shapes change in the disease, but in a much smaller and faster format than big lab machines. Researchers plan to design, build, and test the chip using samples from people with and without Alzheimer’s and compare results to current tests like PET scans and spinal fluid. The goal is to make a cheaper, less invasive option that could be used more widely for screening or monitoring.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people undergoing evaluation for memory loss, those with mild cognitive impairment, or individuals already diagnosed with Alzheimer’s who can provide small biological samples.
Not a fit: People without suspected Alzheimer’s or whose symptoms are due to other known causes of cognitive decline may not get useful information from this device.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a less invasive, lower-cost way to detect or monitor Alzheimer’s-related biological changes, making testing easier and more accessible.
How similar studies have performed: Early research using Raman spectroscopy and conformational biomarkers has shown promise, but combining these approaches in a compact, validated device remains experimental.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Coughlan, Mark — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Coughlan, Mark
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.