New method to test antibiotic resistance in bacteria
Official title: Novel Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Platform for Detecting Resistant Subpopulations
Funded at Veterans Health Administration · NIH-11063117 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to quickly find out if certain bacteria in infections have some resistant cells, which can help doctors choose the best antibiotics to treat tough infections and improve patient care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Decatur, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005985-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11063117 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals suffering from bacterial infections that are resistant to standard antibiotic treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections that are not caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel platform for antibiotic susceptibility testing that can detect heteroresistance, a condition where a bacterial strain has a small population of resistant cells alongside mostly susceptible ones. By identifying these resistant subpopulations, the research aims to improve treatment strategies for infections that are currently difficult to manage. The approach utilizes advanced optical interferometry technology to provide rapid results, potentially within 1.5 hours, which could lead to more effective combination therapies. This could significantly enhance patient outcomes by ensuring the right antibiotics are used to combat resistant infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections, reducing the risk of treatment failures.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using advanced diagnostic techniques to improve antibiotic susceptibility testing, indicating that this approach could be a significant advancement.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Health Administration
Decatur, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weiss, David S — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Weiss, David S
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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.