# Microwave-Enhanced Microreactor for Ultrafast Detection of Protein Biomarkers

> **NIH NIH R41** · VIC FOUNDRY, INC. · 2022 · $259,878

## Abstract

Project Summary
In diagnosis, risk stratification, and management of life-threatening diseases/conditions, every
minute counts and unambiguous detection of many relevant protein biomarkers is crucial.
Unfortunately, the workflow of current unambiguous approach–mass spectrometry–is
bottlenecked by the sample preparation process. A microwave-enhanced, flow-through
microreactor is proposed here for both selective capture and digestion of proteins to address
this major limitation. The specific aims of this Phase I STTR are to create a prototype
microreactor and to demonstrate a proof of concept of the microreactor-enabled mass
spectrometry analysis of protein biomarkers.
The proposed technology and product will streamline the workflow of mass spectrometry
analysis of proteins, free end users from the laborious and tedious multiple sample preparation
steps, and allow near real-time and unambiguous detection of protein biomarkers, as well as
therapeutics, drug targets, etc.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10483753
- **Project number:** 1R41GM146522-01
- **Recipient organization:** VIC FOUNDRY, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Steven Ray
- **Activity code:** R41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $259,878
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10483753

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10483753, Microwave-Enhanced Microreactor for Ultrafast Detection of Protein Biomarkers (1R41GM146522-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10483753. Licensed CC0.

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