A sense for the unseen: Novel DNA sensor can rapidly detect antibiotic-resistant pathogens

(University of Fukui) The persistent overuse of antibiotics has led to the evolution of antibiotic resistant pathogens, or " superbugs, " which can cause severe life-threatening infections that must be diagnosed and treated early on. However, antibiotic sensitivity assays used to detect resistance rely on cell culture that can take several days. Overcoming this limitation, researchers have now designed a novel self-driven DNA nanosensor that can rapidly detect methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a lethal superbug, with high sensitivity and specificity.
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news