Rapid paper-strip test to detect liver scarring
Point of Care Diagnostics for Liver Disease using Fluorescent Nanosensors
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST · NIH-11193980
A fast, low-cost paper-strip test that uses fluorescent sensors to spot liver scarring in people at risk of fibrosis or cirrhosis.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (HADLEY, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11193980 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project aims to make a quick paper-strip test that reads fluorescent signals from a small blood sample to detect liver scarring. Researchers will design engineered polymer "nanosensors" that bind to proteins in serum and produce distinctive multi-channel fluorescent signatures. Machine learning will be used to link those signatures to levels of liver fibrosis, and the best sensors will be moved onto lateral-flow paper devices as prototypes. The goal is an inexpensive, easy-to-use point-of-care test for routine monitoring, chemotherapy patients, and clinics with limited resources.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People at risk for liver fibrosis or cirrhosis—such as those with chronic hepatitis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, alcohol-related liver disease, or patients undergoing chemotherapy—would be ideal candidates for this test.
Not a fit: People without signs of liver disease or those who require a definitive diagnosis and staging by imaging or biopsy may not benefit from this screening-focused test.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could enable earlier, cheaper, and more frequent detection of liver fibrosis so treatment and monitoring can start sooner and be more accessible.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary work showed that polymer sensor arrays on paper can produce serum signatures with clinical relevance, but translating that proof-of-concept into a working fluorescent lateral-flow device is a novel next step.
Where this research is happening
HADLEY, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST — HADLEY, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ROTELLO, VINCENT M. — UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST
- Study coordinator: ROTELLO, VINCENT 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.