Rapid detection of infections on shoulder implants using a chemical fingerprint
Official title: Rapid Detection and Characterization of Biofilms on Shoulder Implants
Funded at Rush University Medical Center · NIH-11439500 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aiming to quickly detect infections on shoulder implants by reading the chemical signature of biofilms with a handheld Raman tool.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rush University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $366,988 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AR088391-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11439500 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty or revision surgery who may be affected by implant-associated infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without shoulder implants or without suspected infection are unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
This project will develop a fast, point-of-care method to identify infections caused by Cutibacterium acnes on shoulder implants by analyzing the biofilm’s chemical fingerprint with Raman spectroscopy. It focuses on localizing and characterizing biofilms on implant surfaces to distinguish infection from non-infection during or after surgery. The team plans high-resolution, high-throughput Raman analyses and will translate findings toward a practical diagnostic tool that could guide surgical decisions and improve implant outcomes. By understanding how C. acnes contributes to implant failure, clinicians may be able to prevent unnecessary revisions and tailor treatments more effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive faster and more accurate diagnoses of implant infections, leading to timely treatment and fewer unnecessary surgeries.
How similar studies have gone: Similar spectroscopic approaches have shown promise in identifying microbial signatures on implants, but this project seeks a rapid, intraoperative solution in this setting.
Where this research is happening
-
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pourzal, Robin a. — Rush University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Pourzal, Robin a.
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.