# MEMS-enhanced solid-phase isothermal amplification for rapid, multiplexed molecular diagnostics

> **NIH NIH R43** · REDBUD LABS, INC. · 2022 · $304,329

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
RNA viruses are responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide, from HIV to Influenza, to
Coronavirus. As the clinical presentation for disease may be similar or asymptomatic, accurate and rapid
diagnosis is essential for monitoring outbreaks and administering of effective therapy. Despite this, there remains
an unmet need for nucleic acid amplification tests that are rapid (<30 minutes), highly multiplexed, compact, and
cost-effective. In this project, we will use a MEMS technology for microfluidic agitation to accelerate solid
phase isothermal amplification by at least 10x. The focus of this Phase I proposal is the development of the
amplification reaction chamber.
Solid-phase (SP) amplification is a well-known potential solution to achieve multiplexing in single-pot INAA. In
SP-INAA, one or both primers for each target is immobilized on a surface, while the other reagents remain in
solution. Unfortunately, solid-phase amplification is dramatically less efficient than liquid-phase reactions,
because template needs to diffuse to the primer location in order to be amplified. SP-INAA is therefore slower
and has a lower LOD than standard liquid-phase NAATs.
We aim to demonstrate SP-INAA that is at least 10x—and as much as 100x—faster than prior implementations
of SP-amplification. Our module will be a self-contained, all-in-one amplification module, with an INAA master
mix lyophilized inside the chamber in addition to immobilized primers, so the only addition required will be a
sample ready for amplification. In success, this project will deliver a breakthrough in nucleic acid amplification
testing (NAATs) by eliminating the tradeoff between speed, multiplexing, and device complexity.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10484147
- **Project number:** 1R43EB030990-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** REDBUD LABS, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Jay Kenneth Fisher
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $304,329
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-06-01 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10484147

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10484147, MEMS-enhanced solid-phase isothermal amplification for rapid, multiplexed molecular diagnostics (1R43EB030990-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10484147. Licensed CC0.

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