USENSE: a quick urine test that detects bacteria and inflammation at the point of care
Official title: USENSE: an electrochemical biosensor for improved point-of-care urinary tract infection diagnosis
Funded at University of Texas Dallas · NIH-11440677 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new handheld test aims to rapidly identify urinary tract infections by measuring both the bacteria and the body's inflammatory response in urine.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Dallas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richardson, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $465,664 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI202648-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11440677 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Persons with suspected community-acquired UTIs, especially women who experience recurrent symptoms and may benefit from rapid diagnosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria or non-UTI urinary conditions may not benefit from this diagnostic approach.
What this research studies
This project develops a point-of-care sensor that can rapidly measure bacterial DNA or markers and inflammatory signals from urine to diagnose UTIs. It targets community-acquired UTIs, which are common and often treated before culture results are available. By providing a faster, more accurate test, it could reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and help tailor treatment. The study plans to validate the sensor’s accuracy and precision in detecting infection and inflammation at the bedside or clinic. If successful, it may shorten the diagnostic window and improve patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could get quicker and more accurate UTI diagnoses, leading to faster proper treatment and less unnecessary antibiotic use.
How similar studies have gone: Previous tests focus on either pathogens or inflammation; this project combines both to improve accuracy, a relatively novel approach that shows promise but requires validation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Dallas
Richardson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Nisco, Nicole Janell — University of Texas Dallas
- Study coordinator: De Nisco, Nicole Janell
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.