Award Abstract # 2329761
PFI-TT: Immuno-Dx: A Biomedical Platform Technology for Personalized Diagnostics

NSF Org: TI
Translational Impacts
Recipient: RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY
Initial Amendment Date: August 16, 2023
Latest Amendment Date: August 16, 2023
Award Number: 2329761
Award Instrument: Continuing Grant
Program Manager: Samir M. Iqbal
smiqbal@nsf.gov
 (703)292-7529
TI
 Translational Impacts
TIP
 Dir for Tech, Innovation, & Partnerships
Start Date: October 1, 2023
End Date: September 30, 2025 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $550,000.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $275,000.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2023 = $275,000.00
History of Investigator:
  • Umer Hassan (Principal Investigator)
    umer.hassan@rutgers.edu
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: Rutgers University New Brunswick
3 RUTGERS PLZ
NEW BRUNSWICK
NJ  US  08901-8559
(848)932-0150
Sponsor Congressional District: 12
Primary Place of Performance: Rutgers University New Brunswick
3 RUTGERS PLZA
NEW BRUNSWICK
NJ  US  08901-8559
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
12
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): M1LVPE5GLSD9
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s): PFI-Partnrships for Innovation
Primary Program Source: 01002324DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s): 5345
Program Element Code(s): 166200
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.084

ABSTRACT

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Partnerships for Innovation - Technology Translation (PFI-TT) project is on developing a biomedical device capable of detecting and monitoring patient's ability to combat infections. The proposed technology addresses the unmet need in emergency department settings of the hospitals where it can be used to monitor patients? response to therapeutic treatments and identify high-risk patients. A minimal viable prototype (MVP) will be developed from proof-of-concept biosensing technology (called Immuno-Dx), which is centered around monitoring natural ability of blood cells to kill pathogens. Immuno-Dx can have applications in areas (i) to better understand immune system responses of patients to pathogenic infections, (ii) to develop new immunotherapy drugs by pharmaceutical companies, and (iii) to strategize patient treatments by physicians. Biosensing device will be able to provide information regarding patients? ability to combat infection within 30 min from a drop of whole blood. This PFI-TT project will enable workforce development in spirit with the NSF mission of training next generation of scientists and engineers in technical and entrepreneurial skills, while creating a direct impact on national healthcare and aiding the US economy.

The proposed project? primary objective is to develop an MVP with integrated electronics, data processing, user interface, and onchip sample processing to perform the phagocytosis assay within 30 min from a drop of whole blood. Value proposition of proposed technology lies in its ability to provide vital information about patients? immune response to infections and therapeutics, to fulfil unmet need for personalized monitoring of patients in emergency department settings of the hospitals. The key innovative features include automated sensing of patient?s ability to combat infections from a drop of whole blood within 30 min, integration of machine learning (ML) models for improved accuracy, automation of manual sample processing steps, and developing a user-inspired 3D printed reader with integrated electronics, data processing and touch controlled user interface. Current key attributes and value proposition of Immuno-Dx can also be leveraged in other areas e.g., infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancer and can be used by researchers, pharmaceutical companies, clinicians, healthcare providers, and biotech companies. The potential outcome of PFI-TT proposal will be the transition of Immuno-Dx technology from investigator research laboratory to a commercial startup company.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.

Print this page

Back to Top of page