Developing a microfluidics-based platform for rapid testing of microbial resistance to antibiotics

微生物对抗生素的耐药性(也称为抗菌素耐药性，简称AMR)在世界范围内变得越来越具有挑战性，具有重大的社会和经济影响。这可能归因于各种人类行为，如医疗保健中不必要的处方、农业中的地毯式处方以及向环境中随意释放抗生素。缺乏适当和快速的检测方法被认为是过度和不适当使用抗生素的主要原因之一。本项目的目的是开发一种基于微流控技术的快速检测微生物对抗生素耐药性的平台。主要目标是：(1)设计和制造由用于采样和反应的微通道组成的微流控装置；(2)开发用于检测的基于微流控的生物分析；(3)将微流控装置与检测相结合；(4)测试和评价AMR应用平台。

Microbial resistance to antibiotics (also referred to as antimicrobial resistance, or AMR) has become increasingly challenging worldwide, with substantial societal and economic impact. This may be attributed to a variety of human actions, such as unnecessary prescription in healthcare, blanket prescription in agriculture and careless release of antibiotics into the environment. Lack of appropriate and rapid testing methods is regarded as one of the main reasons for over- and inappropriate use of antibiotics. The aim of this project is to develop a microfluidics-based platform for rapid testing of microbial resistance to antibiotics. The main objectives are (i) design and fabrication of microfluidic devices, which consist of microchannels for sampling and reaction; (ii) development of a microfluidics-based bioassay for detection; (iii) integration of the microfluidic device with detection; and (iv) test and evaluation of the platform for AMR applications.