Enhancement of dose estimation, outcome diagnostics, and evaluation of organ response for capture's miradtm high-throughput biodosimetry assay

The National Institutes of Health Office of the Director awarded a Cooperative Agreement of $449,099 to Capture Collective, Inc. on May 4, 2026, under the Trans-NIH Research Support program (CFDA 93.310). Capture Collective is developing MIRAD, a high-throughput, blood-based PCR biodosimetry assay that measures individual radiation dose exposure by detecting two microRNA biomarkers—radiation-responsive mir-150-5p and normalizer-unresponsive mir-23a-3p—with 1.0 Gy sensitivity within four hours of sample collection. This accelerated assessment addresses the treatment gap created by the dicentric chromosome assay, the current standard, which requires three to four days to report results. Under this funding, Capture Collective will finalize a precise algorithm that calculates individual absorbed dose on a Gy scale while incorporating biological variability; finalize controls and standards; and verify the accuracy, stability, and reproducibility of the MIRAD assay. The recipient will also assess organ-specific biomarkers to expand assay applications. Work is performed in Ohio and extends through April 30, 2031.

Abstract

In a radiological or nuclear incident, exposure to high levels of penetrating radiation can cause severe damage to multiple organ systems. Real time assessment of individual injury is challenging due to factors including physical shielding, underlying health conditions, and varying symptom presentation. Immediate medical attention is crucial for exposed subjects to avoid long term damage, however, the standard for biologic radiation dose assessment, the dicentric chromosome assay (DCA), requires 3 to 4 days to report results. To address this critical treatment GAP, capture collective is developing a high-throughput (HT), blood-based PCR biodosimetry assay that measures individual radiation dose exposure, accelerating results and supporting the efficient use of medical resources. The assay, coined mirad™, quantitatively detects radiation dose with ± 1.0 GY sensitivity at a critical dose range within 4 hours of sample collection by measuring the levels of two microrna biomarkers: radiation-responsive MIR-150-5P (MIR150) and normalizer-unresponsive MIR-23A-3P (MIR23A). Mirad™ enables injury severity predictions and provides information that will improve life-saving treatment decisions. The mirad™ assay has demonstrated favorable kinetics, high sensitivity, and a broad range in mouse models. In a preliminary feasibility study in humans, MIR150 and MIR23A showed comparable expressions to mice. Capture aims to finalize a precise algorithm that calculates individual absorbed dose in GY scale, incorporating biological variability to enhance dose measurement accuracy. Capture will finalize all newly developed controls and standards, and will verify the accuracy, stability, and reproducibility of the mirad™ assay. Furthermore, additional assessment of identified organ-specific biomarkers will be completed to expand assay use applications and diagnostics. This work will provide crucial data on the assay's feasibility in heterogeneous populations, lay the foundation for validation and clinical studies, and advance mirad™ toward becoming an FDA-approved biodosimetry solution for mass casualty radiation events.