Faster sepsis detection using blood pathogen capture and miniaturized sensors

Understand and Detect Sepsis: Pathogen Isolation, Biochemistry Assay, and Optofluidic Sensing

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE · NIH-11139503

This project is building a fast, simple blood test to find sepsis-causing bacteria and detect antibiotic resistance so patients get treatment sooner.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE (nih funded)
Locations1 site (RIVERSIDE, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11139503 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

I'm told the team is developing ways to pull bacteria directly from a tube of whole blood to make infections easier to find. They combine a one-step CRISPR-based microfluidic chip that reads bacterial genetic markers with a tiny optofluidic waveguide to boost fluorescent signals. The goal is a sensitive, multiplexed test that can also flag antimicrobial resistance. Work is currently in the lab using blood samples and engineered devices that could later move toward patient testing.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Patients with suspected sepsis or bloodstream infections who can provide a blood sample would be the most likely candidates for eventual testing.

Not a fit: People without bloodstream infections or those needing unrelated care are unlikely to benefit directly from this diagnostic development right now.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the technology could let clinicians diagnose sepsis and antibiotic resistance much faster, potentially lowering deaths and inappropriate antibiotic use.

How similar studies have performed: Similar rapid diagnostic methods and CRISPR-based assays have shown promise in laboratory studies but have limited widespread clinical validation so far.

Where this research is happening

RIVERSIDE, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Bacterial Infections

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.