Stemloop, Inc.

Stemloop, Inc. was a biotechnology company founded in 2019 that specialized in cell-free synthetic biology to create programmable, paper-based biosensors. Developed from academic research at Northwestern University, the company’s platform utilized DNA, RNA, and protein components to detect specific chemical analytes and contaminants in environmental and health contexts. The technology was designed to function without the need for extensive laboratory infrastructure, instead providing rapid, inexpensive, and on-site testing capabilities through simple visual signals, such as color changes, when a target substance was present. The company originated in Evanston, Illinois, and received support from various research programs, including the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

The company focused on democratizing access to testing for critical threats, with a flagship application being the µSense lead-in-water test designed to improve household safety and water quality monitoring. By decentralizing diagnostic capabilities, Stemloop aimed to address challenges that previously required costly and time-consuming analytical chemistry techniques. The company sought to apply its biosensing technology across multiple sectors, including environmental monitoring, agriculture, biomanufacturing, and human health, to deliver actionable information for risk mitigation. Stemloop, Inc. concluded its operations in 2025.