Cartridge-based genetic test to find drug-resistant tuberculosis near you
A novel cartridge-based sequencing solution for decentralized M. tuberculosis resistance detection
This project builds a cartridge-style genetic test to quickly show which TB drugs will work for people with drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126582 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are adapting the widely used Xpert Ultra cartridge so clinics can sequence TB genes directly from sputum without waiting for slow cultures. The team will use microfluidics, ultrasonication, and compact sequencing inside the cartridge to read whole resistance genes. They will compare the cartridge results with standard lab tests to check accuracy, speed, and ease of use in decentralized clinics. If the cartridges work well, clinics could give patients drug-resistance results much faster and start better treatment sooner.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with suspected or confirmed pulmonary TB—especially those suspected of rifampin- or multidrug-resistant TB—who can provide sputum samples at clinics using the cartridge system.
Not a fit: People without active TB, those with extra-pulmonary TB who cannot provide sputum, or patients whose samples have too few bacteria for analysis may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could get faster, more complete drug-resistance results so clinicians can begin the most effective TB medicines sooner.
How similar studies have performed: Current molecular tests like Xpert Ultra detect rifampin resistance but cover only a few markers, and targeted sequencing has shown promise in labs though cartridge-based, near-patient sequencing is not yet widely proven.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Metcalfe, John Zapata — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Metcalfe, John Zapata
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 below.