Nanopore based sequencing tools for infection diagnosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessment of rapid nanopore sequencing tools for the diagnosis and characterisation of infectious diseases
IRAS ID
237180
Contact name
Jonathan Edgeworth
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
This study covers the evaluation of a new test that may allow infections to be diagnosed quicker. The test is based on the identification of a particular bacterial gene, 16S rRNA gene, which can be used to identify the type bacteria that may be present in a sample taken from a patient. The technology of the test based around a novel way of reading the bacterial DNA in the sample that provides the desired result in a few hours rather than the 24 hours it currently takes to get the same answer. Since the test is new and novel it must be fully tested in a clinical setting before being deemed robust enough to be used in direct patient care. We aim to achieve this by conducting the study using surplus sample material sent to the routine diagnostic laboratories at Guy's & St Thomas' Hospitals and Kings College Hospital. Since this is a validation study of how good the new test functions, the samples will be fully anonymised and results will not be made available to physicians or patients nor will the result be used for clinical decision making.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NW/0584
Date of REC Opinion
16 Aug 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion