Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) awarded the University of Texas at Arlington a $711,976 Project Grant (CFDA 93.846 - Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research) effective May 15, 2026, with completion targeted for April 30, 2031. This research initiative addresses the critical clinical need for improved diagnostic imaging of orthopedic implant infections (OII) caused by both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The project involves the development and comparative analysis of D-amino acid (DAA)-derived positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracers, specifically focusing on D-glutamine ([5-11C]GLN) as a superior alternative to existing imaging agents. Preliminary findings demonstrate that D-[5-11C]GLN exhibits lower systemic background, superior target-to-background contrast, and enhanced sensitivity for detecting bacterial colonization in both soft tissue and bone infections compared to conventional agents such as [18F]FDG and [18F]FDS.

The research deliverables include the synthesis and characterization of carbon-11-labeled DAA radiotracers with validated radiochemical and enantiopurity profiles, in vitro bacterial uptake studies demonstrating differential consumption patterns across bacterial species, and in vivo imaging validation in animal models of orthopedic infection. These products represent advancement toward a precision diagnostic platform capable of differentiating bacterial types and monitoring treatment response in orthopedic implant infections, addressing a significant gap in current imaging technology for this musculoskeletal disease application.