3. The solution: lasers take measurements on the nanoscale. To measure the movement of the bacteria, a gel is used to stick them to a small metal plate a few micrometres in size. A laser then measures their movement on the nanoscale. Then one antibiotic after another is injected into the chamber with the metal plate. After at least two hours, they know which drug kills the bacteria most effectively.

2. The fact: living bacteria move. Resistell, an EPFL spin-off, has now developed a quick method for measuring the effect of antibiotics on bacteria. There’s no need now to wait and see if the pathogens multiply in a culture medium. Instead, they measure their movement. As long as something is moving, they know that the microbes are still alive, which means the antibiotic being tested is ineffective.

1. The problem: Which antibiotic can really help? If a patient arrives at hospital with a severe infection, time is short. The doctors have to find out as quickly as possible which antibiotic can kill off the pathogen. If they choose the wrong one, it can even strengthen the bacteria’s resistance. The test currently in use takes between one and two days. But the doctors can’t wait that long.

Illustration: ikonaut