Grant: Operating Grant: AMR: Point of Care Diagnostics in Human Health Phase 2

The emerging problem of the resistance of microorganisms to drugs formerly effective in treating various human diseases is spreading globally and threatens many of the gains of modern medicine. This antimicrobial resistance (AMR) arises from the exposure of microorganisms to antimicrobial therapeutics under a variety of conditions including the blanket use of antibiotics in farmed animals and fish, and in misuse and overuse of antibiotics in humans. In humans, this occurs most often when individuals suffering from viral infections with similar symptoms to those of analogous bacterial illnesses are mis-prescribed antibiotics. The impact of the emergence of AMR is an increased global risk of prolonged patient illness, disability, and death due to AMR pathogens. As well, the lack of effective antimicrobial drugs makes many life-saving medical procedures such as organ transplantation, major surgical procedures, cancer chemotherapy and diabetes management much riskier propositions. Development and engineering of a point of care (POC) diagnostic device that can rapidly and efficiently discriminate between bacterial and viral infections can aid front-line health workers to properly prescribe antibiotics. To address this, we are developing a nanostructured thin-film device that will allow members of the medical community, from the family doctor in his examination room to the emergency room worker, to confidently diagnose bacterial infections and ensure that each prescription for antibiotics is based on a scientific evidence and not as a "just-in-case" measure.