About the project
This project will test and implement novel approaches in the diagnosis of sepsis in a real-world patient samples.
There is unprecedented potential to learn and establish methodologies for the identification of host biomarkers from plasma generated within a diagnostic workflow, concurrently with the DNA sequencing of bacterial species present in the analysed samples.
The potential host biomarkers encompassed in this investigation include, but are not limited to:
- CRP
- procalcitonin
- presepsin
- IL-6
- lipopolysaccharide-binding protein
- other relevant metabolic markers.
These biomarkers serve as crucial indicators for determining the sepsis status of a patient more accurately and rapidly.
By integrating these diverse approaches, this study aims to improve the diagnostic accuracy and provide comprehensive insights into the septic state of individuals through the combined analysis of bacterial DNA sequencing and host biomarker profiling derived from plasma samples.
The project sets out to diagnose sepsis sooner and more accurately which in turn impacts on early intervention of therapy and better outcome. You will use novel and existing biomarkers to integrate to clinical scoring systems as well as DNA sequencing of bacteria. This enhances knowledge about how patients with sepsis get managed more appropriately and could lead to future clinical trials.
This project will become a crucial aspect of the NHS Long Term Plan and the Genomic Medicine Service. It will strengthen our commitment to become one of the genomic centres of excellence for infection in the UK to harness genomic technology. This will improve the health of the population or enhance epidemiological surveillance and early detection of infectious threats as part of a world-leading group in generating vast genomic data for infectious diseases.
Working within trusted research environments, we now have the exciting opportunity to develop and optimise methods to integrate these biomarker and sequencing data to patients pathways. Working within the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, the project centres around translating cutting-edge diagnostic tools and technologies to improve patient outcomes.
The University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, boast a nationally leading infection team with a wide research profile and links to UK wide and global researchers.
