DNA Nanostructure-enabled Rapid Test for HIV Diagnostics 

Honored to be part of this growing collaboration between the University of Birmingham and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. By combining strengths in DNA nanotechnology and clinical immunodiagnostics, we are working to develop ultra-sensitive, affordable diagnostic technologies that can be deployed more equitably in real-world settings. Our present efforts center on HIV diagnostics, while the broader vision extends to other important infectious disease applications, including vector-borne diseases.

Read the full coverage using this link. 

Programmable DNA nanostructures turn weak antivirals into broadly neutralizing virus inhibitors

We are excited to share that our recent work has been featured by the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. The feature highlights our recent work on boosting the performance of antiviral molecules by arranging nanobodies and aptamers in virus mimicking patterns. By blueprinting DNA into virus sized frameworks, we enable multivalent binding so antiviral ligands latch onto a virus at multiple points at once, creating a much stronger overall interaction. A key advantage of this approach is its adaptability. The DNA framework can be kept constant while binders are swapped, allowing rapid redesign against new variants or new viruses as they emerge. 

Read the full Bioengineering feature using this link. 

A century of photonics research shapes the future of healthcare diagnostics

We are delighted to share that our recent paper, published in Chemical Reviews, has been featured by the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

The feature article, titled “A Century of Photonics Research Shapes the Future of Healthcare Diagnostics,” highlights our comprehensive review of over 100 years of progress in photonic biosensing research. The paper traces the development of photonic crystal grating resonance (PCGR) technologies and their transformative impact on next-generation healthcare diagnostics.

This collaborative effort, led by Prof. Brian T. Cunningham with contributions from Seemesh Bhaskar and colleagues, reflects the interdisciplinary nature of photonics-driven diagnostics—bridging physics, materials science, and bioengineering to shape the future of point-of-care healthcare technologies.

Read the full IGB feature here: A Century of Photonics Research Shapes the Future of Healthcare Diagnostics

Bioinspired DNA NanoGripper: World’s Smallest Robotic Hand for Virus Detection

We are excited to share our recent work on a bioinspired DNA NanoGripper. This four-fingered “NanoGripper,” folded from a single strand of DNA, is designed to both detect and help block the virus that causes COVID-19. 

Inspired by how a human hand or a bird’s claw grips an object, we encoded four bendable fingers and a palm into one programmable DNA nanostructure. Each finger has three joints whose motion is pre-designed at the DNA level. At the fingertips, we placed DNA aptamers that recognize specific targets, such as the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein so that when the NanoGripper encounters a virus, its fingers literally wrap around the particle.

This work, led by Prof. Xing Wang in collaboration with Prof. Brian Cunningham, was recently published in Science Robotics as “Bioinspired designer DNA NanoGripper for virus sensing and potential inhibition.”

Read the full story here:
Bioinspired DNA NanoGripper – World’s Smallest Robotic Hand

DNA Nanostructure-based Rapid Testing Device

We are pleased to share that our recent work on a next-generation COVID-19 rapid test has been featured by the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

In this study, we developed a rapid test that replaces traditional antibodies with DNA “nets”—programmable DNA nanostructures engineered to capture whole SARS-CoV-2 virions by binding their spike proteins. When a virus-laden sample is applied to the test strip, the DNA nets latch onto the virus and carry it along the strip, where additional DNA nets at the test line fully capture the particles. Gold nanoshells embedded within the nets then produce a bright, easily visible signal, enabling simple readout similar to current lateral flow tests. The DNA-net–based test shows ~100-fold higher sensitivity than many existing commercial rapid tests, detecting viral loads as low as 10³ copies/mL, compared with the ~10⁵ copies/mL typically required by standard antigen tests. 

Read the full IGB feature here: New COVID-19 rapid test employs DNA nets for superior accuracy, researchers say

Biosensor Commercialization

I am excited to share that our DNA nanostructure based viral biosensor has been selected for support by the NIH Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) program. Our team, led by doctoral candidate Han Lee, Professors Xing Wang and Brian Cunningham, received a $500K award plus commercialization support to help translate our rapid, sensitive, and low-cost viral biosensor from lab prototype to real-world diagnostic. By combining the high sensitivity of PCR with the speed and simplicity of antigen tests, this adaptable platform can enable ~10-minute screening for SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses such as influenza and HIV, with potential future applications in antiviral therapeutics and cancer immunotherapy.

Read the full department story here:

BIOE team receives NIH RADx Program Award to commercialize viral biosensor