A team of researchers at the University of Basel has developed an innovative method to assess the effectiveness of antibiotics in killing bacteria, addressing a crucial aspect often overlooked in traditional laboratory testing. While existing methods primarily focus on the ability of antibiotics to inhibit bacterial growth, this new approach evaluates whether these drugs can effectively kill pathogens in the body.
Antibiotic resistance presents one of the most significant health challenges globally, as bacteria evolve to evade the effects of commonly used treatments. Even in the absence of resistance, bacteria can enter dormant states where they resist antibiotics, allowing them to reactivate once treatment concludes. This phenomenon is particularly concerning in the treatment of complex infections, such as tuberculosis, which require prolonged therapy.
Groundbreaking Technique for Assessing Antibiotic Efficacy
The new method, termed “antimicrobial single-cell testing,” utilizes advanced microscopic imaging to observe millions of individual bacteria under various conditions. Dr. Lucas Boeck, from the Department of Biomedicine, explains, “We use it to film each individual bacterium over several days and observe whether and how quickly a drug actually kills it.” This enables precise measurement of the proportion of bacteria eliminated by treatment, providing clearer insights into antibiotic effectiveness.
To validate their technique, the team evaluated 65 combination therapies on the tuberculosis pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis and tested samples from 400 patients suffering from another challenging lung infection caused by Mycobacterium abscessus. The researchers found significant differences in treatment outcomes based on both the therapies employed and the bacterial strains present in different patients, highlighting the concept of antibiotic tolerance.
Subsequent analyses revealed specific genetic traits that influence how well bacteria endure antibiotic treatments. Dr. Boeck noted, “The better bacteria tolerate an antibiotic, the lower the chances of therapeutic success are for the patients,” underscoring the importance of this research in clinical settings.
Implications for Future Treatments and Drug Development
Although the antimicrobial single-cell testing method is currently utilized for research purposes, there are prospects for its application in clinical settings and pharmaceutical development. Dr. Boeck emphasized the potential benefits: “Our test method allows us to tailor antibiotic therapies specifically to the bacterial strains in individual patients.”
Enhancing understanding of the genetic foundations of antibiotic tolerance could lead to more efficient testing processes, streamlining the development of new drugs. The insights gained from this research will not only improve patient outcomes but may also inform strategies for combating the survival mechanisms of pathogens, paving the way for novel therapeutic approaches.
The findings of this study are detailed in the March 2026 issue of Nature Microbiology, where the researchers’ methodologies and results are presented as a foundation for future advancements in antibiotic treatment strategies.
As antibiotic resistance continues to challenge healthcare systems, innovative approaches like antimicrobial single-cell testing are critical in developing effective therapies and improving patient care.
