# Rapid saliva antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 detection

> **NIH NIH U01** · BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · 2022 · $434,002

## Abstract

Summary
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) represents a major health threat to hu-
mankind. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is not only an enormous burden to public health but has already
significantly affected the global economy. As of today, the novel coronavirus has caused over 596 million
confirmed cases and 6.5 million deaths globally and the number continues to grow (https//coronavirus.jhu.edu).
Here, we propose to develop a simple, rapid, and sensitive assay, which is based on the split luciferase
complementation on the trimeric structure of spike proteins. The proposed technology takes advantage of the
trimeric structure of the spikes to form the complex of two complementary luciferase fragments to simply
generate a bright blue bioluminescence.
In Aim 1 we will validate our test with clinical samples and perform cross reactivity, microbial interference and
endogenous interfering substances studies. In Aim 2, we will focus on the strip and dark box optimization and
design verification. Aim 2 will be accomplished with the help of Jeff Hall (BioActive labs LLC) who has all the
necessary equipment and materials to complete a 2,000-3,500 strip and several dark box prototype
productions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10691588
- **Project number:** 3U01HL146002-04S2
- **Recipient organization:** BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** MARK A ARONICA
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $434,002
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2022-09-05 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10691588

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10691588, Rapid saliva antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 detection (3U01HL146002-04S2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10691588. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*