Identifying new biomarkers for diagnosing syphilis in pregnant women and evaluating treatment response
Official title: Multi-omic approaches to identify novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of syphilis in pregnancy and assessment of treatment response
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10979056 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for better ways to diagnose syphilis in pregnant women by finding new markers in their biological samples, so they can get the right treatment quickly and help keep both moms and babies healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $205,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI186006-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10979056 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women who are at risk for syphilis or have been diagnosed with the infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not have a risk of syphilis infection may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the diagnosis of syphilis in pregnant women by using multi-omic approaches to identify novel biomarkers. It aims to address the challenges of current diagnostic tests that may not accurately distinguish between past and current infections. The study will analyze various biological samples to develop more effective diagnostic tools, which could lead to timely and appropriate treatment for pregnant women at risk of congenital syphilis. By enhancing diagnostic accuracy, the research seeks to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and timely diagnoses of syphilis in pregnancy, ultimately reducing the risk of serious complications for both mothers and infants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using multi-omic approaches for biomarker discovery, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gaw, Stephanie Lina — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Gaw, Stephanie Lina
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Syphilis in Pregnancy: Understanding Infection in Moms and Babies
A study following pregnant women with syphilis and their babies to learn how the infection affects pregnancy and newborn health.
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Syphilis in Pregnancy: Molecular Tests and Immune Responses in Mom and Baby
A study to understand how syphilis affects pregnancy and newborns by using molecular tests and tracking immune responses in 750 pregnant women with syphilis and their babies.
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Preventing syphilis in pregnant people in Rio de Janeiro
A clinical trial in Brazil tests a pregnancy-safe antibiotic plan to stop syphilis from affecting babies.
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Preventing congenital syphilis in pregnant people at risk in Rio de Janeiro
A clinical trial will test a treatment approach during pregnancy to reduce syphilis transmission from mother to baby for pregnant people at risk in Rio de Janeiro.
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Syphilis in Pregnancy: Molecular Tests and Immune Responses in Moms and Babies
This study follows pregnant women with syphilis and their babies to understand how the infection affects both, using advanced tests to learn more about the immune response and how the infection passes to the baby.
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Improving testing and immune care for syphilis in pregnancy
Researchers will use advanced lab tests and follow pregnant women with syphilis and their babies to learn how the infection and immune responses affect birth outcomes.
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.