FURI | Spring 2025

Syphilis Detection with the NasRED System

Health icon, disabled. A red heart with a cardiac rhythm running through it.

Infectious diseases remain a consistent threat to human health worldwide. Existing immunochemical diagnosis methods can be time-consuming, expensive, and labor-intensive. The NasRED system developed by Wang’s lab creates a low-cost miniaturized sensing system with high sensitivity and short testing time. This project aims to test the effectiveness of this technology in detecting Tp0216, an antigen expressed in Treponema pallidum, the bacterium that causes syphilis. Early and accurate detection of syphilis is critical for preventing health complications. Additionally, determining if the NasRED technology is effective in detecting various diseases will evaluate its effectiveness, determining its potential in the field.

Student researcher

Tanner Hochberg

Biomedical engineering

Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

Graduation date: Spring 2026