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Rapid point-of-care diagnosis of symptomatic and asymptomatic herpes infection

Award Number: R21AI196845
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/06/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2028

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Rapid point-of-care diagnosis of symptomatic and asymptomatic herpes infection - Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is highly contagious and can be transmitted via physical contact. HSV can be diagnosed by detecting the presence of the virus in lesions or the antibodies in the blood. Yet, viral shedding can happen from asymptomatic infections, highlighting the need for early and accurate detection of HSV to prevent transmission. The most common ways to detect HSV are nucleic acid testing of an active infection via qPCR or serological testing of antibody levels in patient serum. However, qPCR is only accurate if a person is symptomatic and in asymptomatic people both the FDA and the CDC recommend against serological testing due to issues with sensitivity. Additionally, current testing for CNS complications arising from HSV infections requires highly invasive cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) sampling to diagnose. Thus, rapid, accessible, sensitive, and accurate point- of-care tests are in dire need. In 2021, we published a watershed paper describing how we can leverage cell surface glycans that the SARS- CoV-2 virus uses to bind and infect cells, to capture it onto rapid test strips for sensitive detection of the virus (Kim et al, ACS Central Science). Inspired and motivated by our success with SARS-CoV-2 sensing, we propose a novel lateral flow strip assay (LFSA) device for rapid and reliable point-of-care antigen-based detection capable of differentiating between HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections and sensing of CNS complications through serum. As cell surface proteoglycans such as heparan sulfate play an important role in the binding and cell entry of HSV, we will leverage it as a universal binder and use type specific cell receptors to distinguish between HSV strains (Specific Aim 1). Higher selectivity will be achieved by exploring sensitivity to sulfonation of heparan sulfate and other glycocalyx proteins. Sensor performance will be evaluated in complex fluids such as human genital fluids or saliva, and in genital washings of HSV-infected mice. To enhance our ability to identify and subtype HSV, we will engineer tailored cell membranes to optimize their interactions with viral envelope proteins, and strip and print these cell-derived membranes on paper test strips in Specific Aim 2. In Specific Aim 3, we will develop a blood test for the rapid quantitative screening of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament light chain (NfL), upregulated biomarkers upon CNS damage. We will incorporate electrochemical signals for quantitative assessment. This Bluetooth device will enable early and fast triage of patients for further screening. Together, these devices will enable us rapid and cost-effective screening of high-risk populations, accurate subtyping, and a swift connection of patients with treatment.


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 = $427,625 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL	104 AIRPORT DR STE 2200	CHAPEL HILL	NC	27599	ORANGE	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	2/6/2026	NEW	$427,625
														Subtotal = $427,625

Grand Total All Awards = $427,625

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Rapid point-of-care diagnosis of symptomatic and asymptomatic herpes infection

Award Number: R21AI196845

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/06/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2028

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