Addressing the global rise in antimicrobial resistant infections through lab-on-a-chip technology

A major threat for the global community is the continuing rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Overuse of antibiotics, even when they are not required, is causing bacteria to evolve and develop resistance to these drugs, suggesting a pre-antibiotic-like future where patients could die from common infections. One of the main reasons for AMR is the lack of reliable diagnostic tools to provide the healthcare professionals with insight on whether an antibiotic would be effective or not. Lab-on-Chip diagnostic platforms have the potential be a major technological enabler to close this gap.