Monday, January 19, 2026 1/19/2026

Bioinspired mechanogating biosensors for real-time biodetection

Award Number: R21EB030216
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE Of BIOMEDICAL IMAGING & BIOENGINEERING
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 03/01/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2026

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Bioinspired mechanogating biosensors for real-time biodetection - Project Summary Electronic biosensors have been playing increasingly important roles in medical diagnostics. Early detections of various biomarkers are desired to provide timely diagnosis for the prevention and treatment of diseases. However, current electronic biosensors are limited in biodetection, often attributed to nonspecific interferences from a complicated ionic environment in bodily solutions. Specifically, charge screening has prevented field-effect biosensors from real-time biodetection in physiological environment. We intend to bring in and validate a new biosensor concept, which can be free of nonspecific charge interference and provide generic solution to the specific biodetection. We also intend to apply the biosensor in the early detection of tick- borne diseases, which have imposed serious threat to public health but lacked means in early detection for timely treatment. Inspired by the mechanotransduction in biological organelles, we will employ a `mechanogating' sensing mechanism that is orthogonal and hence resilient to charge interference. Specifically, we propose to design a biosensor based on a suspended nanotransistor exposed to analyte flow; the binding biomolecules are expected to increase the effective cross-sectional area of the nanotransistor and hence the drag force by the fluid flow; the induced strain will lead to a conductance change through the piezoresistance effect. To realize the goals, in Aim 1 we will assembly and integrate highly suspended nanotransistors as the biosensors specifically designed for the proposed sensing mechanism. In Aim 2, we will evaluate and verify the biosensor function and performance in high ionic strength mimicking the physiological environment. In Aim 3, we will implement the biosensor for the selective detection of pathogens of tick-borne diseases. If successful, the biosensor will provide a practical solution for improved/timely treatment in tick-borne diseases. The research is expected to create a new class of biosensors, which will transcend the inability of field-effect biosensors and realize generic biodetection in physiological environment, leading to advanced biomedical devices for versatile point-of-care diagnostics.


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 = $0 )
2026	2024	UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS	101 COMMONWEALTH AVE	AMHERST	MA	01003	HAMPSHIRE	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	3	1/6/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $217,860 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS	COMMONWEALTH AVE	AMHERST	MA	01003	HAMPSHIRE	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	3	11/17/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$196,074
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS	101 COMMONWEALTH AVE	AMHERST	MA	01003	HAMPSHIRE	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	001	3	6/7/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$21,786
														Subtotal = $217,860

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $179,175 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS	COMMONWEALTH AVE	AMHERST	MA	01003	HAMPSHIRE	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	001	2	2/3/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$17,918
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS	COMMONWEALTH AVE	AMHERST	MA	01003	HAMPSHIRE	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	2	12/6/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$161,257
														Subtotal = $179,175

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $180,365 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS	COMMONWEALTH AVE	AMHERST	MA	01003	HAMPSHIRE	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	1	2/24/2022	NEW	$162,328
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS	COMMONWEALTH AVE	AMHERST	MA	01003	HAMPSHIRE	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	002	1	7/8/2022	NEW	$18,037
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS	COMMONWEALTH AVE	AMHERST	MA	01003	HAMPSHIRE	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	001	1	4/13/2022	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $180,365

Grand Total All Awards = $577,400

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Bioinspired mechanogating biosensors for real-time biodetection

Award Number: R21EB030216

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE Of BIOMEDICAL IMAGING & BIOENGINEERING

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 03/01/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2026

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