Towards next-generation AMR surveillance: Assessment of novel technologies with high-throughput and multiplexing potential
( TEXAS )
Environment
Surveillance
- Sefi Vernick, Agriculture Research Organisation, Israel (Coordinator)
- Steven Djordjevic, Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, University of Technology Sydney, Australia (Partner)
- Doug Manuel, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Canada (Partner)
- Kneis David, TU Dresden Institute of Hydrobiology, Germany (Partner)
- Renee Street, South African Medical Research Council, South Africa (Partner)
- David Graham, Newcastle University, United Kingdom (Partner)
- Marcos Quintela-Baluja, Durham University, United Kingdom (Partner)
There is a growing realization that the mitigation of AMR necessitates global surveillance of clinically relevant indicators (i.e. antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes). However, there is currently no consensus regarding which markers to target and what levels are safe. The goal of the TEXAS consortium is to define a suite of genetic markers that underline the AMR status of a targeted environment, and integrate these markers into multiplexed platforms that do not require cultivation of bacteria. A digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) platform will employ immediately implementable technology to quantify clinically relevant markers that can be globally adopted to generate large and synchronized data sets that will shed light on the status of AMR in different environments, including healthcare facilties. In tandem, we will develop a novel biochip, which is currently in the early stages of development. Once mature, the biochip will provide a cheap and rapid means for high throughput source tracking of the selected AMR markers in different environments, and it can potentially be integrated into online monitoring platforms in the future. The chances of success are extremely high considering the multidisciplinary composition of the TEXAS consortium, which amalgamates experts in electrical and water engineering, epidemiology, molecular microbial ecology, public health, and policy guidance. We are confident that the selected markers and developed technologies will provide harmonized globally implementable solutions for integrated AMR surveillance that will be fundamental in mitigating AMR