Faster antibiotic-sensitivity testing using a liquid-repellent microfluidic method
Exclusive liquid repellency enables next-generation phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · NIH-11332868
This project uses a new liquid-repellent under-oil microfluidic approach to get quicker antibiotic susceptibility results for people with bacterial infections.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (MADISON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11332868 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are developing a small laboratory system that uses an oil-covered, liquid-repellent surface to test bacteria directly from clinical samples without long culture steps. The method watches whether bacteria grow, stop, or die when exposed to antibiotics, and is designed to work with blood, urine, sputum, abscess fluid, anaerobes, and mixed-species samples. A multidisciplinary team including clinicians and microbiologists will refine the device and test it with real clinical specimens collected at participating hospitals. The goal is to deliver faster, comprehensive phenotypic antibiotic results that reduce delays and help doctors choose the right drug sooner.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with suspected bacterial infections (for example bloodstream, urinary, lung, or abscess infections) who can provide clinical samples for testing at participating hospitals or labs.
Not a fit: People with non-bacterial (e.g., viral or fungal) infections or those unable to provide an appropriate clinical specimen are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could shorten the time to the right antibiotic, improve treatment outcomes, and reduce unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotic use.
How similar studies have performed: Existing rapid molecular and some rapid phenotypic tests are used in clinics, but applying exclusive liquid repellency and under-oil microfluidics for direct-from-sample phenotypic antibiotic testing is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
MADISON, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON — MADISON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ROSE, WARREN E — UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- Study coordinator: ROSE, WARREN E
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.
Conditions: Bacterial Infections