Ultrasensitive on-site pathogen detection using LF-ECL strips and a portable reader
Official title: Lateral Flow-Electrochemiluminescent (LF-ECL) Test Strips and Portable Reader for Ultrasensitive Foodborne Pathogen Detection
Funded at Nanohmics, INC. · NIH-11422083 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small business is developing a portable, battery-powered test strip and reader that can detect very tiny amounts ofListeria bacteria quickly and affordably at food sites.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nanohmics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2025 |
| Project end | September 29, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,022,797 |
| NIH project number | 5R44CK000679-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11422083 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Farmers, producers, processors, and food-safety professionals who test for Listeria on-site may benefit from this technology.
✕Less likely to help
Patients generally would not participate directly; the end users are food-safety professionals and facilities, not individual patients.
What this research studies
This project builds on a Phase I idea to use electrochemiluminescence on lateral flow strips to sense Listeria monocytogenes with very high sensitivity. The system aims to use a handheld reader and simple materials to deliver fast results without complex lab work. By improving sensitivity through ECL control, the test could identify as few as 1–2 cfu under ideal conditions, potentially reducing false negatives in food safety testing. The grant funds development, optimization, and validation to move the technology toward practical, on-site use at food production or processing sites.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could enable rapid, accurate detection of dangerous pathogens at the point of need, reducing the risk of contaminated food reaching consumers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows promise in higher-sensitivity LF-ELC approaches, with ongoing efforts to improve practicality and robustness in field settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Nanohmics, INC.
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bruno, John — Nanohmics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Bruno, John
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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.