Improving a quick test to measure blood vessel health in sepsis patients
Official title: Optimization of a rapid assay to quantify circulating glycosaminoglycans and identify vascular endotypes of sepsis
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10886117 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a quick and affordable test to check levels of certain substances in your blood and urine that can help doctors understand how severe your sepsis is, making it easier to monitor and manage your health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 14, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $231,535 |
| NIH project number | 5R21GM151565-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10886117 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with sepsis or at risk of developing sepsis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have sepsis or related vascular conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a rapid and cost-effective test to measure circulating glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which are important for maintaining blood vessel health. The study aims to create a point-of-care assay that can be used in clinical settings to assess the severity of sepsis by quantifying GAG levels in urine and blood. By using a colorimetric assay, the researchers hope to provide a non-invasive method for monitoring endothelial injury in septic patients, which could lead to better management of their condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier and more accurate identification of sepsis severity, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using similar assays for biomarker detection, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schmidt, Eric Peter — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Schmidt, Eric Peter
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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.