RNA test to detect antibiotic resistance in tuberculosis
An RNA Nanosensor for the Diagnosis of Antibiotic Resistance in M. Tuberculosis
A new rapid RNA-based test aims to tell whether tuberculosis bacteria are resistant to antibiotics so people with TB can get the right medicines faster.
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 ID | NIH-11188961 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have tuberculosis, this project is developing a quick lab test that reads bacterial RNA to see if the TB bacteria will resist specific antibiotics. Instead of waiting for slow bacterial cultures or looking only for known DNA mutations, the test uses a functional RNA sensor that can pick up resistance signals from patient samples. The team plans to validate the test on clinical specimens and compare its results with current methods. The goal is a faster, broader way to detect resistance, including to newer drugs where genetic markers are not well known.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with suspected or confirmed active tuberculosis—especially those with prior TB treatment, treatment failure, or risk factors for drug-resistant TB—would be appropriate candidates for sample testing or future trials.
Not a fit: People without active TB infection, those with latent TB, or infections caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria are unlikely to benefit from this TB-specific diagnostic approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test could let clinicians pick effective TB drugs sooner, shortening time on ineffective therapy and reducing spread of resistant TB.
How similar studies have performed: Existing DNA-based tests can find resistance to a few TB drugs, but this RNA-based functional approach is novel with promising preliminary data and has not yet been proven in widespread clinical use.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard Medical School — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Farhat, Maha — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Farhat, Maha
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 below.