Rapid Detection of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

Where would we be without antibiotics? They are a pinnacle of modern medicine – but overprescription and overuse have left the door open for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. With bacterial infections still one of the world’s biggest health problems, we need a solution – and fast.

Slow turnaround times for identifying these bacteria is just one barrier to that solution, with standard methods taking up to two days – increasing hospital stays, mortality rate, and cost of care. With this in mind, researchers at Binghamton University built a prototype diagnostic device that combines papertronics with biology based on the principle of bacterial electron transfer (1). Their technique eliminates the need to monitor bacterial growth, yielding a turnaround time of only five hours. As a point-of-care diagnostic tool, the device could reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions, especially in resource-limited areas – closing the door on antimicrobial resistance.