Rapid diagnosis of bacterial sepsis without culture

Culture and amplification-free bacterial sepsis diagnosis

NIH-funded research Scanogen, INC. · NIH-11090450

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 typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionScanogen, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11090450 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients suspected of having bacterial sepsis, particularly those presenting with symptoms of severe infection.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have bacterial infections or those with non-sepsis related conditions may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Baltimore, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions blood infection
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.