# The Kansas Institute for Precision Medicine - F-MRPS

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · $217,550

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The goals of the Biomedical Engineering (BME) Core within the Kansas Institute of Precision Medicine COBRE
is two-fold: (1) Provide pioneering tools for the isolation of Liquid Biopsy Markers (LBMs) and small molecules
of biological or clinical importance (Liquid Biopsy Unit); and (2) generate innovative microfluidic and nanofluidic
devices in plastics for translational research (Plastics Engineering Unit). Outputs from both units has generated
microfluidic tools to allow for the efficient isolation of disease biomarkers with the ability to process blood, plasma,
saliva, and urine samples. The unique infrastructure of the BME Core and its outputs assist the KIPM COBRE
members, including Research Project Leaders (RPLs) and Pilot Project Leaders (PPLs) as well as researchers
outside of the KIPM to advance their science and effectively competing for federally funded research projects.
Under the auspices of the BME Core, we have developed state-of-the-art assays and the associated microfluidic
tools to support discovery and translational work. Some of our microfluidic tools are used for the efficient isolation
of liquid biopsy markers, including extracellular vesicles (EVs), cell free molecules, and rare biological cells. EVs
are an evolving liquid biopsy marker – related markers include lipid nanoparticles, and polymer nanoparticles –
due to the high abundance found in biological fluids and the molecular cargo they carry in spite of their small
size (<200 nm). Accurate characterization (i.e., size, concentration, presence of specific surface proteins) of
these particles remains elusive requiring an array of optical instrumentation and highly trained personnel to infer
vague conclusions from indirect measurements and assumptions to deduce their properties. Peer review data
suggest that Spectradyne’s ARC™ particle analyzer delivers direct, accurate, and fast measurements that will
help users of our BME Core for securing tangible results and enabling new discoveries. The Spectradyne’s
technology allows for unique analyses of EVs and other nanoparticles such as polymer nanoparticles, liposomes,
viruses, bacteria etc. that can play a central role in the field of precision medicine, the central theme of the KIPM.
Ultimately, the novel analytical capabilities of this technology will allow for a better understanding of novel
biomarkers, such EVs or lipid/polymer nanoparticles allowing for concentration and payload determinations.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11014859
- **Project number:** 3P20GM130423-06S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** ANDREW K. GODWIN
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $217,550
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2019-02-15 → 2029-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11014859

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11014859, The Kansas Institute for Precision Medicine - F-MRPS (3P20GM130423-06S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11014859. Licensed CC0.

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