University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · EngineeringViral Insights Lab
Brian T. Cunningham · Champaign, Illinois
Research Focus
Professor Brian T. Cunningham's research lab focuses on developing an innovative system for testing viral infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C using a compact and cost-effective device. Their goal is to create a rapid, easy-to-use test that can be performed at point-of-care sites, providing results in less than 30 minutes with minimal blood samples. This work aims to improve access to accurate viral load monitoring, which is crucial for managing these infections.
HIVHCVHBVbiosensormicrofluidicspoint-of-care testingCRISPRviral load monitoringadditive manufacturingpublic health
Research Aims
5AIM 01Develop a novel point-of-care testing device for HIV, HBV, and HCV.
AIM 02Utilize CRISPR technology for enhanced viral detection sensitivity.
AIM 03Create a low-cost testing platform for community health settings.
AIM 04Evaluate the device's effectiveness using clinical samples.
AIM 05Incorporate user feedback into the design for improved accessibility.
Skills the Lab Values
microfluidic designbiosensor developmentnucleic acid extractionCRISPR technologysample processingdata analysis with Pythonadditive manufacturing techniquesimmunoassaysdevice prototypinghuman factors engineering
Output against the department
Publications457top 13% of dept.37th of 278
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations13ktop 28% of dept.79th of 278
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.