Rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing for precision therapy of bacterial infection

Project Description

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most pressing global health challenges of our time, driven largely by the widespread misuse and overuse of antibiotics. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognises AMR as a top-ten public health threat to humanity. Recent data highlights the gravity of this issue: in 2019, AMR directly caused 1.27 million deaths and contributed to an additional 4.95 million fatalities linked to drug-resistant infections worldwide (Murray et al., 2022). Without urgent intervention, it is projected that AMR could result in 10 million deaths annually by 2050 (O'Neill, 2016). In addition to its devastating impact on human health, AMR threatens global food security, environmental sustainability, and economic stability. The slow and costly development of new antibiotics further complicates the situation, making the pursuit of innovative and effective solutions more critical than ever.

A key solution lies in transitioning from “empirical therapy” to “precision treatment” approaches, tailoring antibiotic therapies based on rapid and accurate diagnostic tools. However, existing methods for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) in hospitals are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and expensive, posing significant barriers to timely and effective patient care. For acute bacterial infections like bloodstream infections, delays in AST can mean the difference between life and death.  

Microfluidic platforms offer a groundbreaking solution to these challenges. By integrating multiple disciplines, including medicine, chemistry, biology, engineering, artificial intelligence, and other fields, microfluidic AST platforms provide a rapid, efficient, and automated alternative to traditional methods. These systems are compact and cost-effective, delivering precise results within hours and minimising human error. Their ability to integrate seamlessly with downstream molecular and optical analyses makes them versatile tools for various applications.  

Recent advancements, such as the hydrogel-based and “barcode” cell sensor microfluidic AST platforms, represent significant innovations. The hydrogel-based system leverages biocompatible materials to perform polymicrobial AST, enabling simultaneous bacterial identification and drug susceptibility testing. Meanwhile, the “barcode” platform offers a direct smartphone interface for real-time bacterial monitoring, which offers rapid, easy-to-use tests, making it suitable for mass screening in clinical, food safety, and environmental contexts.  

These technologies have the potential to transform global healthcare by enhancing antibiotic stewardship, preventing the rise of drug-resistant infections, and addressing critical gaps in AMR management. By enabling rapid, resource-independent, and affordable testing, microfluidic AST platforms pave the way for precision antimicrobial therapeutics, ultimately safeguarding human health and ensuring sustainable antibiotic use for generations to come.

Project Investigator

Professor REN Kangning (Department of Chemistry)

Project Collaborators

• Prince of Wales Hospital

Funding/ Award

• Research Grants Council - General Research Fund
• Research Grants Council - Early Career Scheme
• Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions (Palexpo SA) - Gold Medal Award at Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions
• China Centre for Promotion of SME Development, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, Department of Youth Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, China International Cooperation Association of SMEs - Second Runner-Up position in “Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest – Hong Kong Chapter (MiCHK) 2024 Final”

Health and Drug Discovery

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