# Carbon nanotube integrated microdevice for next generation sequencing based virus discovery

> **NIH NIH R01** · CARNEGIE-MELLON UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $519,957

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Infectious diseases account for one quarter of global deaths and massive economic loss. Pathogen discovery
is critical in combating infectious diseases. However, the causative agents in a large percentage of clinical
infectious disease cases remain unidentified. Often occurring in resource-limited areas, major outbreaks were
caused by newly emerging viruses, mostly wildlife-originated. The pressing challenges in viral infectious
diseases call for a sample-to-answer virus discovery platform that can prepare viral samples from
environmental and clinical samples for high throughput sequencing based virus discovery. In this proposed
research, we will develop a new carbon nanotube 3D sample preparation and enrichment microdevice (CNT-
3D-SPEM) that employs engineered carbon nanotube material, as shown in our preliminary study, into a new
continuous flow microfluidic design for virus particle enrichment. The new microfluidic design has a unique self-
regulating flow mechanism to achieve high virus capture efficiency and high sample capacity and flow rate
simultaneously. After enrichment, the captured viruses are lyzed inside the CNT-3D-SPEM. The viral genome
will be purified and amplified in situ, which are required sample preparation steps for virus discovery through
high throughput sequencing. Working with co-investigators together, we will conduct multiple pilot studies that
use the developed technology for virus discovery from clinical and environmental samples. The ultimate goal is
to develop the entire high-performance portable platform to advance virus discovery for the battle with viral
infectious diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9993219
- **Project number:** 5R01AI134911-03
- **Recipient organization:** CARNEGIE-MELLON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Siyang Zheng
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $519,957
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-08-10 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9993219

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9993219, Carbon nanotube integrated microdevice for next generation sequencing based virus discovery (5R01AI134911-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9993219. Licensed CC0.

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