Microbial resistance to antibiotics is a global problem and its diagnosis is of great importance to determine the most effective treatment for infections and to curb the spread of resistant organisms.
Currently, laboratory tests include complex microbiological and cell biological analyses, which are time-consuming and costly. Due to the risk of contamination and its low accuracy, new methods of detection are urgently needed.
The resistance of bacteria to antibiotics is mediated by corresponding resistance genes. The molecular biological method of next-generation sequencing (NGS), a high-throughput sequencing of nucleic acids, therefore opens up new possibilities for the detection of resistance as well as for the monitoring of resistance from a large number of biological samples.
With our technologies optimized at Fraunhofer IGB, we select specific target regions, e.g. several microbial resistance genes, which are amplified in the first step and detected in the second step by means of next-generation sequencing.
In this way, we can quickly and specifically analyze microorganisms and microbial resistance – in critically ill patients, but also in complex samples from the environment or wastewater treatment plants.
Currently used technologies require prior cultivation of microorganisms. Our technologies bypass this step and enable resistance detection even at low initial levels.
The In-vitro Diagnostics department at Fraunhofer IGB can look back on a wealth of experience with a wide variety of samples and applications. A patent has already been granted for our method for comprehensive sequencing, and a patent has been filed for the method for targeted amplification of various target regions and subsequent sequencing. We are currently breaking new ground in the detection of resistance by analysing RNA and cell-free nucleic acids.
We analyze the metagenome and resistance profile of a wide variety of sample types as part of research projects or on behalf of customers.
Our technologies are also suitable for the examination of extremely demanding samples, e.g. from the environment, wastewater treatment plants, or from patients.
Through the close integration of molecular biological methods for sample preparation, the creation of sequencing libraries and in-depth bioinformatic analysis, we are able to offer tailor-made solutions for complex problems.
Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB