Novel technologies to fight bacterial infections
Due to the misuse and excessive consumption of antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria is increasing at an accelerating rate. This has led the World Health Organization (WHO) to identify antibiotic resistance as one of the greatest threats to global health, food security and development. “Some of the most dangerous bacterial pathogens are listed in the 2024 WHO priority pathogens list(opens in new window),” says PEST-BIN(opens in new window) project coordinator Ivan Mijakovic from the Technical University of Denmark(opens in new window). The urgency of the situation has prompted political action. At the United Nations General Assembly Meeting on AMR last year, global leaders approved a political declaration(opens in new window) and a commitment to a clear set of targets and actions. These include reducing the estimated 4.95 million human deaths associated with bacterial AMR annually by 10 % by 2030.
New solutions for tackling antimicrobial resistance
New disruptive technologies are needed to help us meet these ambitious goals, along with a new generation of experts equipped to provide solutions. This is where the PEST-BIN project, supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions(opens in new window) programme, came in. The project brought together six universities, three research institutes, a hospital and five private companies with a common mission: to pioneer novel technologies to fight bacterial infections. “We also set out to educate a group of outstanding PhD students and enable them to tackle the problem of AMR,” explains Mijakovic. “We worked with groups of students to identify key targets inside bacteria for the development of new antibiotics, as well nanomaterials-based solutions for eradicating bacterial infections.” The project was highly interdisciplinary, involving microbiologists, medical experts, chemists and nanotechnology experts. “We all worked together and learned things from each other,” adds Mijakovic.
Applying genomics, molecular and evolutionary biology
A number of promising results emerged out of this collaborative work. New technologies for mass spectrometry-based diagnostics were developed, and many of the researchers were able to delve deeply into infection mechanisms. This was achieved using a range of tools, including genomics, molecular biology and evolutionary biology. “We found ways of killing bacterial pathogens through new and inventive methods,” notes Mijakovic. “In one of our sub-projects, we were even able to patent a new diagnostic chip. This led to the formation of a successful start-up company, which is putting new diagnostic devices onto the market.” For Mijakovic, the team spirit built over the three years of the project is something he is especially proud of. “This network of 15 remarkable young scientists will live on as a true powerhouse of future innovation,” he adds.
Delving deeper into advanced diagnostics
Mijakovic acknowledges that there is still a long way to go in the fight against AMR. “While we keep learning more about infection mechanisms and diagnostics, more questions open up,” he remarks. “Fundamental discoveries will continue to be found.” To answer these questions, a number of PEST-BIN consortium supervisors have joined in another EU-funded innovative training network project called BUG-ID. This has just received funding. “In the new project we are delving deeper into advanced diagnostics, combining the use of AI and 2D nanomaterials,” says Mijakovic. “In parallel, our industrial partners from PEST-BIN, and the start-up company that one of our early-stage researchers created, are working on putting diagnostic and antibacterial products on the market.”
Keywords
PEST-BIN, bacterial, infections, antimicrobial, antibiotics, AMR, WHO
