Wearable and implantable sensors to monitor immune proteins
Official title: Continuous metabolite and protein profiling for immune monitoring
Funded at Texas Engineering Experiment Station · NIH-11187141 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project develops small wearable and implantable sensors that continuously measure proteins and chemicals in the body to track the immune system.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Engineering Experiment Station NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $363,340 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM147568-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11187141 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with immune-related conditions such as autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammatory disorders, infections, or those receiving immunotherapy would be the most likely candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without immune-related concerns or those who cannot or will not use wearable or implantable devices may not see direct benefit from this work.
What this research studies
You would wear or receive a small sensor that continuously reads chemicals and proteins involved in the immune response. The team is building tiny biosensors and bioelectronic systems designed to measure cytokines and other markers over minutes to days without repeated blood draws. They aim to replace slow, lab-based tests that need reagents and washing steps with devices that work in real time. Over time these sensors could reveal how inflammation changes and support more personalized care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let clinicians see immune changes as they happen and tailor treatments more quickly and precisely.
How similar studies have gone: Continuous monitoring for small molecules like glucose has been successful, but continuous protein/cytokine monitoring is largely novel and not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Engineering Experiment Station
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tian, Limei — Texas Engineering Experiment Station
- Study coordinator: Tian, Limei
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.