Rapid, low-cost HPV DNA test for cervical cancer screening in Mozambique
Sample-to-answer HPV DNA nucleic acid test for cervical cancer screening in Mozambique
A fast, affordable HPV DNA test designed to help women in Mozambique find cervical cancer earlier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rice University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11405244 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project is creating a point-of-care HPV DNA test that gives a sample-to-answer result without a full laboratory. The team is combining an extraction-free, multiplexed isothermal nucleic acid amplification method with a portable NATFlow lateral-flow detection platform. The aim is a cheap, rapid test that can be used in low-resource clinics in Mozambique and similar settings. If the device works as planned, it will be tested in real-world screening programs to see how it performs with local patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women eligible for cervical cancer screening in Mozambique or comparable low-resource settings who attend participating clinics would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who are outside local screening age ranges or already diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer are unlikely to benefit from this screening test.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test could make cervical screening faster, cheaper, and more widely available, which may lead to earlier treatment and fewer deaths.
How similar studies have performed: Other HPV DNA and point-of-care screening approaches have shown promise, but the fully extraction-free, integrated NATFlow approach is a novel combination.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Rice University — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Richards-Kortum, Rebecca R. — Rice University
- Study coordinator: Richards-Kortum, Rebecca R.
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.