A new method to quickly test how bacteria respond to antibiotics
Official title: Deuterium Labeling Mass Spectrometry for Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
Funded at Iowa State University · NIH-11093392 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a quick test to see how well antibiotics can fight off bacteria, especially for people dealing with tough infections, so they can get the right treatment faster.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iowa State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ames, United States) |
| Project start | May 22, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $177,705 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI182983-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11093392 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients suffering from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by non-resistant bacteria may not benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a rapid test for determining the susceptibility of bacteria to antibiotics using a technique called deuterium labeling mass spectrometry. By culturing bacteria in a special form of water, researchers can track how bacteria respond to antibiotics in real-time. This method aims to provide faster results compared to traditional tests, which often take a long time and may not be as accurate. The goal is to improve treatment options for patients with infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to quicker and more accurate antibiotic susceptibility testing, helping doctors choose the most effective treatments for patients with bacterial infections.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using mass spectrometry for similar applications, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Iowa State University
Ames, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Young-Jin — Iowa State University
- Study coordinator: Lee, Young-Jin
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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.