In the field of single-cell analytics, there is a significant need for rapid, quantitative, single-molecule sensitive profiling technologies that do not require up-front assumptions about which cells will be found in a sample. For example, a patient with a bacterial bloodstream infection could harbor any combination of hundreds of common pathogens, and their chances of survival go down with every hour that they remain incorrectly diagnosed. The Fraley Lab has the aim of democratizing data generation on a patient level, making technologies that are accessible, affordable, and easy to use. By applying microfluidic, optical, engineering, and computational approaches, we develop technology that requires fewer assumptions while providing quantitative, sensitive, and specific details at the single cell level. 

From the benchtop...

Pathogen detection in blood culture presents significant challenges with respect to specific, effective, and time-sensitive identification and intervention. Interdisciplinary research is being done in the Fraley Lab to develop a rapid and inexpensive polymicrobial detection platform that can be easily integrated into clinical workflow.

To the bedside...

Neonatal sepsis patients are a specific population at high risk of infection and mortality. Physicians currently struggle with isolating confounding factors and following effective treatment plans; the reflexive antibiotic treatments prescribed today can actually endanger the lives of neonates and contribute to the development of resistant bacterial strains. Our work aims to shift the current paradigm of blood culture diagnostics into a more rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective paradigm. 

Discussion:

Dr. Fraley's talk on U-dHRM at the 2021 Global Engage conference.