Fast DNA test to find the germs causing eye infections
Official title: NGS based metagenomic screening of ocular infections
Funded at Chromologic, LLC · NIH-11192272 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A rapid DNA-based test that identifies the bacteria or fungi causing eye infections so you can get the right treatment much sooner.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Chromologic, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Monrovia, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $898,365 |
| NIH project number | 5R42EY033266-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11192272 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with suspected corneal ulcers or suspected endophthalmitis who can provide a small ocular sample and attend a participating clinic.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without suspected bacterial or fungal eye infections, or those unable to undergo a small eye biopsy or travel to a study site, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
As a patient, a tiny eye sample (microliters) would be processed by a device that extracts DNA and uses deep sequencing to detect pathogens in under 24 hours and for under $1,000. The system combines an automated DNA extraction device with a metagenomics alignment tool (SMART) and adaptive sequencing software to focus on pathogen DNA and reach low detection limits in a few hours. The project will refine the software and validate the device in patients with corneal ulcers and suspected endophthalmitis at UCLA and the University of Washington. The team aims to make a CLIA-ready test and pursue FDA discussions so the device could be used clinically and at point-of-care sites.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let doctors identify the exact cause of an eye infection within hours, reduce unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotics, and improve treatment decisions.
How similar studies have gone: Phase I work showed the EYE-Path system detected bacterial infections in under 3 hours with a low detection limit, and similar rapid sequencing diagnostics have shown promise, but full multisite clinical validation is still novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Chromologic, LLC
Monrovia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kyubwa, Espoir — Chromologic, LLC
- Study coordinator: Kyubwa, Espoir
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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.