Developing advanced phage-based sensors for detecting bacteria
Official title: Bioengineering Phage-based Biosensors with Genetic Specificity and High Sensitivity
Funded at Cornell University · NIH-10727412 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on creating special viruses that can help doctors quickly and accurately find harmful bacteria and their resistance to antibiotics, which could lead to better treatments for patients with bacterial infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cornell University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ithaca, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $187,784 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EB034941-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10727412 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with bacterial infections or those at risk of such infections, particularly those with antibiotic-resistant strains.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with viral infections or non-bacterial diseases may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on engineering bacteriophages, which are viruses that specifically target bacteria, to create highly sensitive biosensors. By modifying these phages to express specific reporter proteins during their infection process, the researchers aim to enhance the detection of bacterial genetic material, including genes related to pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance. The approach utilizes synthetic biology techniques to improve the specificity and sensitivity of these biosensors, making them capable of providing rapid and accurate results with minimal resource requirements. Patients could benefit from improved diagnostics for bacterial infections, leading to better-targeted treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and rapid detection of bacterial infections, improving patient outcomes through timely and effective treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using engineered phages for biosensing, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Cornell University
Ithaca, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nugen, Sam R — Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Nugen, Sam R
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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.