A new blood test for diagnosing tuberculosis
Official title: A Novel Electrochemical LFA for Diagnosing TB from a Single Drop of Blood
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11120616 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new, easy way to test for tuberculosis using just a drop of blood, which is especially helpful for young kids and people with HIV who might struggle to give other types of samples.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $238,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI190782-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11120616 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children under 11 years old and individuals living with HIV who are at risk for tuberculosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have tuberculosis or are not in the specified age group may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a novel electrochemical assay that can diagnose tuberculosis (TB) using just a single drop of blood. The approach focuses on improving the accuracy of TB diagnosis, particularly for vulnerable populations such as young children and individuals living with HIV, who may have difficulty providing sputum samples. By combining advanced bioelectrical technology with a user-friendly paper-based format, the goal is to create a diagnostic tool that is both sensitive and easy to use in various healthcare settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more accurate and accessible method for diagnosing tuberculosis, potentially saving lives and reducing transmission rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing rapid diagnostic tests for tuberculosis, but this specific approach using a blood sample is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rodwell, Timothy Charles — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Rodwell, Timothy Charles
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.