Testing for drug resistance in tuberculosis using nanoreactor beads
Official title: Nanoreactor beads for POC TB resistance testing
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-10982504 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a quick and easy test that can help doctors find out if tuberculosis (TB) is resistant to treatment by checking for specific changes in the bacteria, so patients can get the right care within just 30 minutes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | November 7, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $686,998 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI179961-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10982504 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suspected of having tuberculosis, particularly those with a history of treatment failure or exposure to drug-resistant strains.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have tuberculosis or those with non-infectious conditions will not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a rapid and sensitive point-of-care test that can detect drug resistance in tuberculosis (TB) by identifying specific mutations in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. Utilizing advanced nanoreactor bead chemistry and a specialized testing platform, the system will provide results within 30 minutes, allowing for immediate treatment decisions. The approach combines digital and real-time PCR technologies to ensure accurate detection of multiple resistance mutations, enhancing the ability to manage TB effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to faster and more accurate diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis, improving treatment outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in developing rapid diagnostic tests for tuberculosis, indicating a promising avenue for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alland, David — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Alland, David
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Methylation and metabolism signals linked to lung function in kids with asthma
This grant looks at how genes, environment, and small chemical changes in the body together affect how lung function changes over time in children with asthma.
-
FEND-TB: Faster, better TB tests for all ages
A multi-institutional project aims to develop and validate faster TB diagnostic tools and drug-susceptibility tests so people of all ages, including children and those with extrapulmonary TB, can get quicker and more accurate results.
-
FEND-TB: Accelerating TB Diagnostics and Drug Susceptibility Testing
A multi‑institution collaboration will test new TB diagnostic tools and rapid drug-susceptibility tests to improve detection and treatment for people of all ages, including children and those with hard-to-diagnose TB.
-
Game-based mobile app to help pregnant women with overweight/obesity manage weight in Nepal
A new app designed for pregnant women in Nepal with overweight or obesity to help manage weight gain during pregnancy and reduce weight retention after birth.
-
Environmental factors and Lewy body dementia: linking claims data with lab work
Aims to find environmental factors that influence Lewy body dementia by combining big health data with lab studies, to understand what might worsen the condition and who is most at risk.
-
Identifying how ableism affects pregnancy and postpartum care for women with intellectual and developmental disabilities on Medicaid
This grant studies how bias and barriers in the healthcare system affect pregnancy and postpartum outcomes for women with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are on Medicaid and their babies.
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.