Rapid CRISPR-based cervical cancer screening test
Composing CODAs to cervical cancer screening through an integrated CRISPR and fluorescent nucleic acid approach
This aims to bring a fast, low-cost CRISPR and fluorescence test to help screen women in low-resource areas for HPV and early cervical precancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11143839 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, a simple cervical sample or swab would be processed on a compact device that uses CRISPR and fluorescence anisotropy (CODA) to read nucleic acid markers in under 30 minutes. The team will adapt and validate the test using human samples and then train local clinicians and lab staff to run it at partner clinics. The project focuses on making the test work without advanced lab infrastructure so it can be used at point-of-care sites in Uganda and Ghana. The goal is to make screening faster, cheaper, and more accessible for women who currently lack reliable services.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women eligible for routine cervical cancer screening who attend participating clinics, especially at partner sites in Uganda and Ghana, are the intended candidates.
Not a fit: People without a cervix or those already diagnosed and needing treatment rather than screening are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this screening-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could enable fast, affordable point-of-care screening that finds HPV and precancerous changes earlier, increasing chances for cure in low-resource settings.
How similar studies have performed: CRISPR-based diagnostics have shown promising results in other infections and biomarker detection, and the team has already validated CODA in human specimens, though its use for point-of-care cervical screening is novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Castro, Cesar M — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Castro, Cesar M
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.