SBU Researchers Net Grant for Device to Analyze Breath in Asthma Patients

The National Science Foundation has awarded a $599,763, three-year grant to an interdisciplinary team of Stony Brook researchers for their work on a breath-analyzing device for people who suffer from asthma, the university announced this week.

The exploratory project seeks to "investigate the proof-of-concept or feasibility of a novel technology, including processes and approaches that promote smart health and wellbeing," according to the university. Researchers are developing a personalized asthma monitor to detect nitrict oxide in one's breath, designing a "nanosensor-based microsystem that captures, quantifies, and displays an accurate measure of the nitric oxide concentration in a single-exhaled breath."

Nitric oxide levels are often tested in the process of diagnosing asthma and can play a role in asthma-related therapy as well.

The lead researcher is Perena Gouma, professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Director of the Center for Nanomaterials and Sensor Development at Stony Brook. She collaborated with Milutin Stanacevic, associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Sanford Simon, professor in the Departments of Biochemistry and Cell Biology and Pathology.

Gouma said in a statement that the grant "will enable us to make the leap from breath-gas testing devices to actual breath-test diagnostics for asthma and other airway diseases."