Clinical Microbiology Research Program
Detection of microorganisms using state-of-the-art technology.
Program Overview
Two active applied industry sponsored research focused on technology assessment and performance are currently active programs within the Microbiology Applied Research Program. The first is a study, sponsored by Affinity Biosensors (Santa Rosa, California), of the LifeScale Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing platform. The technology involves microfluidics which measures and records mass of bacteria being tested for susceptibility to fourteen antibiotics. The unique feature of the technology is the availability of test results in less than five hours as compared to 36-72 hours for the standard of care comparator. When combined with multiplex PCR used for the direct detection of Gram negative rods in a positive blood culture and confirmatory identification of the culture isolate using mass spectrometry, final results (ID and susceptibility) can be available in seven hours. The results of this study were recently published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology. The study has been expanded with the addition of the Bruker Septityper used to produce a “liquid colony” directly from the positive blood culture and used to inoculate the Lifescale platform and Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF; Bruker) and early data indicate that results are available in seven hours. Rapid resulting has a direct impact on antibiotic stewardship and patient management in less time compared to two to three days later. A major goal is to include urine and CSF as additional specimens to expand specimen diversity rather than being restricted to blood specimens.
The second industry study involves the SeluxDx (Charlestown, MA) platform which also provides antimicrobial susceptibility results within 6 hours. Although the technology is different than microfluidics, this automated platform is FDA approved for testing positive blood cultures. Our initial studies consisted of testing urine and respiratory isolates (namely bronchoalveolar lavages (BALs) and endotracheal aspirates. We are currently entering the third arm of the study by testing blood cultures positive for Gram negative rods (bacilli). Preliminary data are encouraging when compared to our current standard of care.
Both studies have been or are currently being conducted in our Microbiology Research Laboratory. Pathology residents have the opportunity to participate in these studies.
Details about our Program
Consideration requires a recently obtained (typically less than three years) doctoral degree from an accredited college in an appropriate field of biological sciences such as Biochemistry, Medicine, Molecular Biology, or Pharmacology.
- Earned doctorate (PhD, MD) or equivalent terminal degree from an accredited institution
- Apply within 3 years from the earned doctorate degree
- US Citizenship or Permanent Residency status or equivalent
- Submit updated CV (Resume) and letter of interest for preliminary evaluation prior to full application
The formal application can be submitted year-round. It must include all of the following documents: Letter of Interest; Curriculum Vitae; Undergraduate and Graduate Transcripts; Three Letters of Recommendation; Status of US Citizenship or Working Visa Required. Please call 502-852-5341 for more information.
