Rapid, precise at‑home friendly diagnostic test using special antibodies and tiny light-boosting particles
Official title: Rapid Vertical Flow Immunoassay Capable of Advancing Point of Care Diagnostics by Amplifying Underutilized Signals via Site-Specific Assembly of Antibody and Augmented Plasmonic Coupling
Funded at Illinois State University · NIH-11357463 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new point‑of‑care test uses specially arranged antibodies and enhanced particles to detect multiple disease markers quickly and accurately.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Illinois State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Normal, United States) |
| Project start | August 25, 2026 |
| Project end | August 24, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $553,931 |
| NIH project number | 1R15EB039339-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11357463 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals needing rapid infectious disease testing or monitoring using POC diagnostics, including clinics or urgent care settings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-infectious conditions or those not currently using POC diagnostics may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant aims to create a quick, easy diagnostic test that can be used at the point of care to catch infectious diseases early. By using a surface‑enhanced, vertically flowing assay, it seeks to dramatically improve sensitivity and allow multiplexed detection of several biomarkers. The project plans a chemo‑enzymatic method to position antibodies precisely on plasmonic papers, helping antigens be captured more reliably and producing stronger, clearer signals. Researchers expect this approach to lay the groundwork for new diagnostic platform technologies that could improve disease management in real‑world settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from faster, more accurate tests that enable timely treatment and better disease control.
How similar studies have gone: Past work with SERS‑based POC tests has shown promise, but this approach aims to extend sensitivity and multiplexing further.
Where this research is happening
-
Illinois State University
Normal, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Jun-Hyun — Illinois State University
- Study coordinator: Kim, Jun-Hyun
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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.