Quick, accurate HIV, HBV, and HCV testing from one small blood sample
Official title: Human factors-designed triple test for HIV, HBV, and HCV infection in whole blood using target amplification, signal amplification, and crumpled graphene biosensor readout
Funded at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NIH-11418030 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A fast, patient-friendly point-of-care test could detect HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C from a tiny blood sample in under 30 minutes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $730,581 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI194914-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418030 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include people living with HIV, and those at risk for HBV or HCV co-infection, especially in settings needing rapid, point-of-care results.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to the testing locations or those not needing multiplexed HIV/HBV/HCV monitoring may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a compact testing system that combines a microfluidic cartridge, a molecular method, a biosensor, and a dedicated reader to measure HIV, HBV, and HCV viral loads from a single small blood sample. The goal is a highly sensitive, rapid test that works in community or clinic settings with minimal blood and quick results. If successful, it could simplify screening and monitoring, helping people stay informed about their viral status and treatment. The approach targets usability in lower-stigma, lower-resource environments where access to complex lab testing is limited.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test could enable faster diagnosis and monitoring, improving treatment decisions and outcomes for people living with HIV and co-infections.
How similar studies have gone: Prior point-of-care tests for HIV have shown promise, but this multiplexed, rapid approach with CRISPR-based detection is innovative and still being evaluated.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cunningham, Brian T. — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Cunningham, Brian T.
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.