Rapid diagnosis of bacterial sepsis without culture
Official title: Culture and amplification-free bacterial sepsis diagnosis
Funded at Scanogen, INC. · NIH-11090450 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, fast way to find bacteria in blood samples from patients with sepsis, so doctors can start the right treatment in just one hour instead of waiting days, making it easier for everyone involved.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scanogen, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 9, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,000,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI167330-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11090450 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients suspected of having bacterial sepsis, particularly those presenting with symptoms of severe infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have bacterial infections or those with non-sepsis related conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new assay that can quickly detect and identify bacteria in whole blood samples, specifically for patients with sepsis. Traditional blood culture methods can take one to five days to yield results, but this new approach aims to provide results in just one hour. Utilizing a novel technique called Single MOLecule Tethering (SMOLT), the assay will allow healthcare providers to initiate targeted treatment much sooner, potentially improving patient outcomes significantly. The system is designed to be fully automated and user-friendly, making it accessible for clinical use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to faster and more accurate diagnosis of bacterial sepsis, enabling timely treatment and potentially saving lives.
How similar studies have gone: While there is only one FDA-approved culture-free molecular assay for sepsis diagnosis, this approach is considered innovative and aims to significantly improve upon existing methods.
Where this research is happening
-
Scanogen, INC.
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Celedon, Alfredo Andres — Scanogen, INC.
- Study coordinator: Celedon, Alfredo Andres
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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.