# The Center for Innovation in Point-of-Care Technologies for HIV/AIDS atNorthwestern University (C-THAN) Supplemental Request

> **NIH NIH U54** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $6,707,769

## Abstract

The “C-THAN POCTRN COVID-19 Proposal” is a supplement to the existing Center for Innovation in Point-of-
Care Technologies for HIV/AIDS at Northwestern (C-THAN) which aims to support development of
technologies which can help address the urgent healthcare needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The
extent and urgency of the situation requires an aggressive and innovative approach to accelerate the delivery
of solutions to address immediate and future needs. Our approach augments the strong technical and clinical
expertise within our own and the existing four POCTRN centers and their Coordinating Center. The specific
aims are: 1) develop a SARS-CoV-2 ten-minute molecular diagnostic test based on the Minute Molecular
Platform; and 2) scale up C-THAN’s established international network for COVID-19 technological
development and testing of relevant products and assays in sub-Saharan Africa and other low- and middle-
income countries (LMICs). For aim 1, C-THAN proposes the development of a ten-minute SARS-CoV-2 test
for the Minute Molecular DASH (Diagnosis Analyzer for Selective Hybridization), a sample-to-answer platform
for point-of-care use in medical clinics, emergency departments and urgent care centers. The DASH platform
exploits novel fast PCR and microfluidic fabrication technologies developed at the Center for Innovation in
Global Health Technologies (CIGHT) at Northwestern University. DASH technology can be adapted for high
throughput uses such as airports, hospitals, nursing homes, emergency departments and drive-through testing
sites. For aim 2, we will scale up C-THAN resources to expand addressing the impact of the pandemic. The
C-THAN network consists of four biomedical engineering (BME) technology development sites plus three
clinical validation/needs assessment sites. The BME sites include University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch
University in South Africa, and University of Lagos and University of Ibadan in Nigeria. The seven clinical
validation/needs assessment sites include ones located with the engineering sites plus at University of Jos in
Nigeria, University of Bamako in Mali and Muhimbili University in Tanzania. The relationship of these sites with
Northwestern University go back up to 22 years. We will utilize Northwestern’s Institute for Global Health
Catalyzer Award Program which has been funding promising research projects addressing critical global health
needs for over 10 years. Two weeks ago, the Institute redirected all proposals to address only COVID-19
activities. Basic scientists, biomedical engineers, infectious diseases specialists, virologist, pharmacologists
and public health faculty are encouraged to apply for Catalyzer awards which are in the range of $25,000 for a
one-year project. With this POCTRN supplement, we will “plus-up” these awards to a maximum of $100,000
each to increase the scope and pace of the development. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis,
and funding decisions are made within 7...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10139922
- **Project number:** 3U54EB027049-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** SALLY Maureen MCFALL
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $6,707,769
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-05-21 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10139922

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10139922, The Center for Innovation in Point-of-Care Technologies for HIV/AIDS atNorthwestern University (C-THAN) Supplemental Request (3U54EB027049-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10139922. Licensed CC0.

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