RNA-based test to detect antibiotic resistance in tuberculosis
Official title: An RNA Nanosensor for the Diagnosis of Antibiotic Resistance in M. Tuberculosis
Funded at Harvard Medical School · NIH-11419866 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new RNA-based test aims to quickly identify drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis to help tailor treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 13, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $414,461 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI176498-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419866 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People suspected of having TB or with known exposure to drug-resistant TB who would benefit from rapid resistance testing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose TB is drug-susceptible or who cannot provide samples may not benefit from this specific test.
What this research studies
This project develops a functional, RNA-based diagnostic that can rapidly detect antibiotic resistance in tuberculosis without relying on slow culture or predefined DNA resistance markers. It builds on existing preliminary data to create a test that looks at RNA responses to antibiotics, potentially improving speed and accuracy at the point of care. If successful, it could enable clinicians to choose effective drugs sooner, reducing transmission and worse outcomes for patients with resistant TB.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could get the right antibiotics faster, improving cure rates and reducing the spread of resistant TB.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows RNA-based diagnostic approaches can reflect bacterial responses, but this exact functional RNA assay for TB resistance is novel and has not yet demonstrated clinical success.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Farhat, Maha — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Farhat, Maha
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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.