Detecting bacterial and fungal resistance to antibiotics quickly at the single-cell level
Rapid AST through Metabolic Imaging at Single Cell Level
This study is working on a quick way to see how bacteria and fungi react to antibiotics using special imaging technology, so doctors can get faster results and make better treatment choices for infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10884403 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a rapid method to assess how bacteria and fungi respond to antibiotics using advanced imaging techniques. By employing high-speed stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) imaging, the team aims to evaluate the metabolic activity of individual cells, allowing for faster identification of antimicrobial susceptibility. The goal is to provide results within hours, which could significantly improve treatment decisions and reduce the misuse of antibiotics. The research addresses current limitations in clinical settings, such as the need for more accurate and high-throughput testing methods.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include patients with bacterial or fungal infections who require timely and effective treatment options.
Not a fit: Patients with viral infections or those who do not have an active infection may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to quicker and more accurate diagnoses of infections, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using similar imaging techniques for microbial susceptibility testing, but this approach aims to refine and enhance those methods for clinical application.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University (Charles River Campus) — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheng, Ji-Xin — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Cheng, Ji-Xin
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.