Handheld test to quickly detect drug-resistant tuberculosis
Handheld and population-based sequencing for rapid detection of new and repurposed drug resistance in M. tuberculosis
A portable genetic test will be used to quickly identify which TB drugs are likely to work for people with rifampin-resistant tuberculosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11392284 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project adapts an existing deep-sequencing test onto a low-cost, handheld nanopore device so TB bacteria can be read near the clinic. Researchers will collect patient samples early in care, including from a South African cohort, and run rapid targeted sequencing to spot known and new drug-resistance mutations. The effort brings together university teams, nonprofits, and commercial partners to make the technology practical in high-burden communities. The goal is to help clinicians pick better drug combinations faster and avoid months of ineffective treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with rifampin-resistant or suspected drug-resistant tuberculosis who can provide sputum samples at participating clinics, especially in high-burden settings, are the intended candidates.
Not a fit: People without tuberculosis or with confirmed drug-sensitive TB, and individuals in locations without participating clinics or the handheld device, are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test could let people get the right TB drugs sooner, shorten ineffective treatment, and help prevent further drug resistance.
How similar studies have performed: Molecular tests like Xpert greatly improved rifampin-resistance detection and targeted deep sequencing has shown promise, but moving those methods onto a handheld nanopore platform is a newer application.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Metcalfe, John Zapata — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Metcalfe, John Zapata
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.