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Rapid Species-Level Diagnosis and Treatment Monitoring of NTM Infections Using a CRISPR-Droplet Platform

Award Number: R01AI198651
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/17/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2031

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Rapid Species-Level Diagnosis and Treatment Monitoring of NTM Infections Using a CRISPR-Droplet Platform - Summary: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections, particularly those caused by Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and Mycobacterium abscessus (Mab), represent an urgent and growing clinical concern due to their rising prevalence, species-specific drug resistance, and the inadequacies of current diagnostic methods. Traditional diagnostic workflows rely on time-consuming cultures and lack the resolution to differentiate among over 30 clinically significant NTM species, often delaying effective treatment. To address these limitations, we propose the development and clinical validation of CRISPR-Assisted, Nanodroplet-paired Differentiation test for NTM (CANDi-NTM) platform. This culture-free assay is designed for rapid, sensitive, and species-specific detection of NTM DNA directly from sputum or blood samples, with minimal equipment requirements and high-throughput compatibility. CANDi-NTM combines optimized species-specific guide RNAs, universal primers, and a droplet- based color-coding system to enable robust, orthogonal detection across diverse NTM species. We will: (1) establish and validate the diagnostic accuracy of CANDi-NTM using retrospective clinical samples from multiple biobank cohorts; (2) evaluate its ability to monitor treatment response using a longitudinal clinical cohort and murine infection model; and (3) perform real-world prospective validation to assess turnaround time, usability, and impact on treatment decisions. The assay’s high sensitivity, rapid results, and capacity to track dynamic changes in pathogen burden will enable earlier diagnosis, support individualized treatment strategies, and reduce reliance on prolonged culture-based methods. By bridging the gap between assay development and clinical validation, this study aims to provide a fast, reliable, and minimally invasive blood-based diagnostic solution for NTM infections, ultimately improving patient outcomes and guiding timely therapeutic interventions.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $775,405 )
2026	2026	THE ADMINISTRATORS OF TULANE EDUCATIONAL FUND	6823 SAINT CHARLES AVE	NEW ORLEANS	LA	70118	ORLEANS	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	9/17/2026	NEW	$775,405
														Subtotal = $775,405

Grand Total All Awards = $775,405

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Rapid Species-Level Diagnosis and Treatment Monitoring of NTM Infections Using a CRISPR-Droplet Platform

Award Number: R01AI198651

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/17/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2031

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