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Electrochemical detection of subclinical mastitis

Award Number: F31EB039515
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE Of BIOMEDICAL IMAGING & BIOENGINEERING
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 12/07/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/06/2027

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Electrochemical detection of subclinical mastitis - PROJECT SUMMARY Up to 70% of lactating women experience subclinical mastitis and estimates range from 10-33% of mothers will go on to experience clinical mastitis, our key focus is to detect mastitis at the subclinical level in order to halt its progression through easy to perform at-home interventions (hot compresses, increased pumping and feeding frequency, etc). The main objective of the subclinical mastitis detection in this study is to minimize morbidities associated with breastfeeding and extend the period of time infants are able to breastfeed in order to optimize growth and nutritional status. The aims of this study are to produce an inexpensive, accurate, point of care device using ion selective membrane-based electrodes such that the sodium and potassium content of breast milk may be detected, and then to optimize those sensors for use in human milk. This goal is aligned with the NIBIB’s POCTRN program in that our detection methods are rapid (results in less than 10 minutes), accurate (in simulated breastmilk with subclinical mastitis ion concentration levels, our sodium and potassium electrodes resulted in a 3.98% and 7.41% percent error respectively.), and low-cost (at a production scale of 50 units or more, the estimated cost per circuit is approximately $6). The ratio of sodium to potassium in human breast milk is an established indicator for subclinical mastitis. We hope to further develop these sodium and potassium sensor arrays by progressing from simulated fluids to healthy human breast milk and finally samples from women experiencing subclinical and clinical mastitis. Our ability to detect concentration is through the use of the Nernst equation and potentiometric analysis, an electrochemical technique that requires no current to flow through the system. This work will alert women to the beginnings of mastitis before symptoms present, enabling them to take simple preemptive measures against mastitis progression such as increased frequency/duration of pumping, warm compresses, and milk duct massage. The fellowship training plan outlined in this proposal will serve to deepen the applicant’s understanding of the reaction kinetics and influencing forces surrounding ion-selective membrane-based sensors as well as expand her ability to analyze resultant data. This is achieved through a combination of coursework, professional advancement opportunities, state-of-the-art facilities available to USC researchers, and the population/donor diversity of Los Angeles and Southern California milk banks.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $53,114 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA	3720 S FLOWER ST FL 3	LOS ANGELES	CA	90033	LOS ANGELES	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	1	7/8/2026	NEW	$53,114
														Subtotal = $53,114

Grand Total All Awards = $53,114

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Electrochemical detection of subclinical mastitis

Award Number: F31EB039515

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE Of BIOMEDICAL IMAGING & BIOENGINEERING

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 12/07/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/06/2027

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