Precise, rapid HCV detection from blood at the point of care
Official title: PRECISE: accessible sample-to-answer RT-PCR detection of hepatitis C infection from whole blood
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11389431 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aiming to provide a fast, easy blood test to detect hepatitis C right where care is delivered.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 8, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $567,895 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI188944-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11389431 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with suspected or known hepatitis C infection who may benefit from rapid point-of-care testing.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without suspected HCV infection or those not seeking point-of-care testing may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project seeks to simplify hepatitis C testing by using a novel, rapid RT-PCR method that works directly at the point of care. It builds on a plasmonic-thermocycling approach to generate quick, multiplexed results from whole blood or saliva samples. The goal is to reduce the need for multiple visits and delay in treatment by delivering a same-visit diagnosis and enabling timely antiviral therapy. The work will validate the test’s performance with real patient samples and compare it to current standard workflows. If successful, this could streamline diagnosis, shorten time-to-treatment, and improve linkage to care for people with HCV.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Patients could receive a faster, simpler HCV test with quicker access to treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Early studies using plasmonic thermocycling have shown promise for rapid viral detection and may translate to HCV with additional validation.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sia, Samuel K — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Sia, Samuel K
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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.