Tracking how drugs reach the brain, prostate, and liver
In-Vivo Monitoring of Therapeutic Drug Transport Across Biological Barriers
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · NIH-11421548
This project uses tiny implanted sensors to continuously watch how seven commonly used antibiotics move from the blood into organs like the brain, prostate, liver and spinal fluid to help people treated with these drugs.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11421548 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From your point of view, researchers are creating small electrochemical ‘‘aptamer’’ sensors that can sit in the body and give real-time readings of specific drug levels. They plan to follow seven antibiotics (three aminoglycosides, three beta-lactams, and one glycopeptide) as they cross barriers from blood into the liver, prostate, brain, and cerebrospinal fluid. The team will make continuous in vivo measurements to calculate how quickly and how much each drug penetrates each organ. The ultimate aim is to produce standard transport measurements that could guide safer, more effective dosing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People treated with the specific antibiotics studied—especially those with infections or concerns involving the brain, prostate, liver, or cerebrospinal fluid—would be the most relevant candidates for related clinical work.
Not a fit: Patients who do not use these classes of antibiotics or whose conditions do not involve the targeted organs are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors tailor antibiotic dosing so drugs reliably reach infected organs while lowering the risk of toxic side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Electrochemical aptamer-based sensors have shown promising continuous drug monitoring in animal models, but their use for organ-penetration measurements is still an emerging approach.
Where this research is happening
CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES
- UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL — CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ARROYO CURRAS, NETZAHUALCOYOTL — UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- Study coordinator: ARROYO CURRAS, NETZAHUALCOYOTL
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.
Conditions: Acquired brain injury