Non-invasive infection detection after lung transplant
Official title: Non-invasive Monitoring for Infections and Rejection after Lung Transplantation
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11333348 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A non-invasive blood test using phage-based signals could help doctors detect lung infections early in people who have had a lung transplant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | June 20, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $583,817 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI182349-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11333348 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Lung transplant recipients who are at risk for infections or rejection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without infections or those not undergoing transplant follow-up may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This project aims to improve how we find infections after a lung transplant without resorting to invasive BAL fluid tests. It will explore a novel method that uses circulating free DNA in blood and phages to pinpoint lung pathogens more accurately than current methods. The goal is to distinguish infection from rejection early, so patients can receive the right treatment sooner. The investigators will work with blood samples from transplant patients to develop and test this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to earlier, more accurate infection diagnosis after lung transplantation, potentially reducing complications and improving graft survival.
How similar studies have gone: Other cfDNA-based tests have shown promise in diagnosing infections, but phage-based pathogen identification is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bollyky, Paul L — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Bollyky, Paul L
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Phase 1 trial of siltuximab for antibody-mediated rejection after lung transplant
A early-stage study tests whether siltuximab can help people who have antibody-mediated rejection after lung transplantation.
-
Targeted delivery of immune-suppressing agents to the lung graft to prevent rejection
A study at Northwestern University will test a new, targeted approach to prevent lung transplant rejection by delivering immune-suppressing drugs directly to the graft while blocking early signals that trigger rejection.
-
Siltuximab for antibody-mediated rejection after lung transplant
This trial gives siltuximab to people with antibody-mediated rejection after a lung transplant to try to control the immune response harming the new lung.
-
Role of plasma cells in chronic rejection after lung transplantation
This research looks at how certain immune cells called plasma cells may drive chronic rejection in people who have had lung transplants and how this could lead to new ways to protect the transplant.
-
Investigating the role of plasma cells in lung transplant rejection
This study is looking at how certain immune cells, called plasma cells, might play a role in lung transplant rejection, especially for patients dealing with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, and it hopes to find new ways to help improve the success of lung transplants.
-
Sending anti-rejection medicine directly to blood vessels in transplanted lungs
This project tests tiny drug carriers that deliver anti-rejection medicine straight to the blood vessels of transplanted lungs to help people who receive lung transplants.
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.