Single-molecule processing to detect DNA, RNA, and proteins without amplification
Official title: Single-Molecule Processing: Detection and Identification of Single DNAs, RNAs, and Proteins and their modifications using Immobilized Nanoscale Enzymatic Reactors and Nanoscale Electrochromatography
Funded at University of Kansas Lawrence · NIH-11336090 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research center grant aims to develop methods to detect and identify individual DNA, RNA, and protein molecules and their modifications without PCR, which could improve disease diagnostics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Lawrence NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lawrence, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2015 |
| Project end | March 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $286,886 |
| NIH project number | 2P41EB020594-12 |
| Project ID | NIH-11336090 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include patients with diseases where blood-based biomarkers or circulating tumor cells are relevant for diagnosis or prognosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diseases where single-molecule markers are informative or without access to specialized testing may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on creating technologies that can observe single molecules directly, instead of relying on amplification. It uses immobilized nanoscale enzymatic reactors and nanoscale electrochromatography to identify molecules and their chemical changes. The goal is to improve precision medicine by capturing markers in blood and other samples that are hard to detect with standard methods. The work is built on examples like digital PCR and sequencing, but seeks amplification-free approaches for better information about diseases. If successful, these tools could enable earlier or more accurate diagnoses and tracking of disease progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from more sensitive and direct detection of disease markers, potentially enabling earlier diagnosis and better monitoring.
How similar studies have gone: There is precedent for single-molecule approaches in diagnostics, but amplification-free methods remain challenging and are still being validated.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Lawrence
Lawrence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Soper, Steven Allan — University of Kansas Lawrence
- Study coordinator: Soper, Steven Allan
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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.