Portable, rapid test to detect dhATX toxin in water for safer ecosystems and communities
Official title: Development of a portable, rapid, easy-to-use, quantitative dihydroanatoxin-a detection system
Funded at Attogene · NIH-11399643 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small business grant is funding a quick, easy test that detects the dangerous toxin dihydroanatoxin-a in water, aiming to protect people and animals who rely on these water sources.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Attogene NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | July 7, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $421,018 |
| NIH project number | 2R44ES034301-02A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399643 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patients; focused on environmental water monitoring and public health protection.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient involvement; results primarily inform environmental safety and water quality.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a portable lateral flow assay that can identify dhATX toxin in water samples without complex equipment. It builds on a recombinant acetylcholine receptor surrogate bound to colloidal gold to generate a readable signal on a test strip. The goal is to provide a robust, scalable, low-cost screening tool that can be used by monitoring programs to catch toxin presence early. By simplifying detection, communities and wildlife affected by harmful algal blooms could better manage exposure and water safety. The effort emphasizes translating lab concepts into a field-ready device that non-specialists could operate.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test could enable faster, more widespread screening of water for dhATX, reducing exposure risk for people and animals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous approaches to dhATX detection were complex and expensive; this project aims to offer a simpler and scalable alternative.
Where this research is happening
-
Attogene
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ford, Lance P — Attogene
- Study coordinator: Ford, Lance P
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.