MM researchers found a one-step method for detecting drug-resistant bacteria Preparing to apply for testing for COVID-19 mutants. Intellectual property has been registered in the United States.
Dr. Pharaphat Atthamanolap, Lecturer at Department of Biomedical Engineering Faculty of Engineering Mahidol University (mm.) and world-class university alumni, The Johns Hopkins University, USA, revealed that they have researched “The development process and bacterial type identification system and test the susceptibility of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in one step” and received the National Research Award. Fiscal Year 2021 Thesis Award, Good Level, Engineering and Research Industry from the National Research Office (NRCT), which is the first time in Thailand that can analyze drug-resistant bacteria in one step which developed from the traditional method of inoculation and testing for drug resistance in each type of bacteria directly With this new method discovered has used molecular genetic engineering to help catalyze the reaction Resulting in faster results from 1 night to only 2-3 hours, which is a great time saver.
Dr. Pharaphat also said that in terms of molecular genetic engineering methods used in research It uses a technique similar to the RT-PCR test of COVID-19 testing. But the difference is that the test for COVID-19 uses mRNA or synthetic DNA, while the bacterial test for drug resistance is used here. Use a DNA test True from bacteria, called “PCR method”, the reason for using the method of culturing bacteria To look at drug resistance before PCR instead of directly examining the drug resistance genes of each bacterial species. This is because direct gene testing methods are not 100% accurate because they cannot be analyzed in time for the changes of drug-resistant bacteria.
“It’s the nature of bacteria when more than one species come together. There will be interactions between them. Until it may promote more drug resistance as well,” said Dr. Phornpat.
Dr. Pharaphat continued that, in addition, he also discovered that the application of the device “Microfluidics” for testing in smaller volumes can reduce the reagent content by 20,000 times from 20 microliters to just 1 nanoliter, saving the resources required for testing. It can also be used to test for drug resistance of more than 1 bacteria. Kind at the same time and even more have introduced AI or artificial intelligence. to help in recording and processing, in addition to providing speed, accuracy and precision It also saves human resources.
The discovered, one-step method of testing for drug-resistant bacteria is supported by the National Institutes of Health; NIH, USA, and has been registered for intellectual property in the United States and has been published in four global journals. As the first named researcher (Q1) in the journal Nature and Analytical Chemistry and prepare to expand with leading hospitals in Thailand Developing a device used to analyze the mutation of the COVID-19 virus in a remote area
