Creating standards for accurate COVID-19 testing
Official title: Development and Characterization of Phage QBeta-Based SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR Assay Calibration Standards
Funded at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NIH-10993686 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on creating better tools for COVID-19 testing to help doctors know how much virus is in a person's body, which can improve diagnosis and treatment, especially for those with weakened immune systems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $251,570 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI176120-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10993686 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals undergoing COVID-19 testing, especially those with varying viral loads or immunocompromised conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not being tested for COVID-19 or those who have already recovered from the virus may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing calibration standards for SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR assays, which are crucial for diagnosing COVID-19. By establishing a reliable method to convert cycle threshold values into accurate viral load measurements, the project aims to improve the accuracy of COVID-19 testing. This will help determine if individuals are infectious, assess treatment effectiveness in immunocompromised patients, and differentiate between current infections and residual viral RNA. The goal is to make these standards affordable and accessible for diagnostic and research laboratories.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate COVID-19 testing, improving patient management and treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has successfully developed calibration standards for various diagnostic assays, indicating a promising potential for this approach in COVID-19 testing.
Where this research is happening
-
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kirby, James E — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Kirby, James E
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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.