Multiomic biodosimetry panel to guide care during sepsis and antibiotic treatment
Official title: Development of a multiomic biodosimetry panel for use during sepsis and antibiotic treatment
Funded at Georgetown University · NIH-11391325 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new blood test panel using multiple biological markers to quickly estimate radiation exposure and guide treatment for people who are severely ill with sepsis or bacterial infections after radiation exposure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgetown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | August 11, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $156,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI193957-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391325 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with suspected or confirmed radiation exposure who are at risk for sepsis or septic complications and require rapid triage.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without suspected radiation exposure or those not undergoing rapid triage for radiation-related injuries may not benefit.
What this research studies
This NIH grant aims to develop a high-throughput panel that uses metabolite measurements, possibly combined with gene transcripts, to identify radiation dose in patients within the first week after exposure. The approach leverages modern mass spectrometry to generate rapid results that help distinguish those needing medical intervention from those who don’t. By focusing on doses 2–10 Gy, the work seeks to inform antibiotic use, decontamination decisions, and supportive care in a realistic clinical setting. The project is anchored at Georgetown University and involves translating biodosimetry findings into practical guidelines for emergency and hospital-based care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the panel could speed up and improve medical triage and treatment decisions after radiation exposure, potentially saving lives.
How similar studies have gone: Previous biodosimetry approaches show promise but this project aims to advance to high-throughput, multimodal panels for clinical use.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgetown University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pannkuk, Evan — Georgetown University
- Study coordinator: Pannkuk, Evan
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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.