A transatlantic Fraunhofer research project is working on an innovative diagnostics platform for the rapid detection of antibiotic resistances. The microfluidic rapid test system µFLOWDx uses carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) to detect bacterial resistances in minutes – significantly faster than conventional methods that take up to 16 hours.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA (Multi-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) cause approximately 700,000 deaths worldwide annually, often because ineffective antibiotics are used due to resistances being detected too late. The project, led by the Fraunhofer USA Center for Manufacturing Innovation (CMI) in Boston, is supported by the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems (IMS) in Duisburg and the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology (IGB) in Stuttgart. It runs from July 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026, and is funded under the Fraunhofer PACT program (funding number: 40-11763).
The µFLOWDx platform captures metabolic stress responses of bacteria to antibiotics in real-time. Special surfaces bind bacteria from patient samples, while highly sensitive optical sensors based on fluorescent carbon nanotubes detect molecules such as ATP or hydrogen peroxide that indicate cellular stress. If the fluorescence signal remains unchanged, a resistance is present. Fraunhofer IGB is developing the surface modifications for high bacterial adhesion, Fraunhofer IMS is providing the biosensors, and Fraunhofer USA CMI is integrating the components.
The goal is a functional prototype that will be validated under real-world conditions, with potential for later commercialization. Market analyses show great interest, as existing systems cannot keep up in terms of speed and sensitivity. The technology could revolutionize clinical microbiology and enable faster, evidence-based therapy decisions.
Source: Fraunhofer IMS, transmitted on September 4, 2025.
