Technology Core: Advancing point-of-care cancer screening in underserved settings
Official title: Technology Core
Funded at Rice University · NIH-11398597 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A national center at Rice University is building faster, affordable point-of-care cancer tests to help people in resource-limited areas get earlier detection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rice University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 13, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $619,331 |
| NIH project number | 5U54EB034652-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398597 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include people at risk for cancer who live in areas with limited medical resources and infrastructure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients in settings with robust healthcare infrastructure may see less direct benefit if complex follow-up is required.
What this research studies
This grant supports a Technology Core that identifies and accelerates high-priority point-of-care tests for cancer screening and early detection, especially where medical resources are scarce. Researchers will leverage AI and biomedical engineering approaches to design, test, and translate new POC diagnostics that can be used outside traditional labs. The effort builds on lessons from COVID-19 testing to enable rapid manufacturing, distribution, and home testing when appropriate, with a focus on accessibility and impact in underserved communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients in underserved areas could access earlier cancer detection and timely treatment through simple, rapid tests that don’t require specialized facilities.
How similar studies have gone: Prior COVID-19 testing efforts demonstrated rapid development and deployment of POC tests, informing this approach for cancer screening.
Where this research is happening
-
Rice University
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Richards-Kortum, Rebecca R. — Rice University
- Study coordinator: Richards-Kortum, Rebecca R.
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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.