Better testing to find antibiotic resistance genes in bacteria

Triple-enriched metagenomics for robust resistome analysis

NIH-funded research University of Minnesota · NIH-11394275

A new lab method to find and sequence antibiotic resistance genes in bacteria from clinical and environmental samples.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Minnesota NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Minneapolis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11394275 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project will create a laboratory workflow that enriches and sequences DNA to better detect antibiotic resistance genes across whole microbial communities like the gut or wound microbiome. It combines improved probe-based capture, real-time enrichment during long-read sequencing, and a 'triple-enrichment' approach to increase how many resistance genes are found and how accurately they are placed in their microbial context. Researchers will test and refine the method using many types of samples with different resistance gene mixtures. The goal is faster, lower-cost, and more complete resistance profiles that could support care and public health tracking.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal contributors would include people with recent bacterial infections, recent antibiotic use, or those willing to provide samples such as stool, swabs, or clinical specimens for sequencing.

Not a fit: People seeking direct treatment from this project are unlikely to benefit immediately, since it focuses on laboratory method development rather than providing clinical therapy.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could help clinicians and public health teams detect and track antibiotic resistance more quickly and accurately, informing better treatment and prevention.

How similar studies have performed: Related probe-capture and long-read sequencing methods have shown promise for detecting resistance genes, but the proposed triple-enrichment approach is new and not yet widely validated.

Where this research is happening

Minneapolis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.