A breakthrough in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance

Did you know that over one million lives are lost globally to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) every single year? This is a growing health crisis in which bacteria are becoming resistant to commonly prescribed antibiotics—something that medicine has relied on for decades.

As infections become harder, and sometimes impossible, to treat, hallmarks of modern medicine such as chemotherapy, organ transplantation and joint replacements—all of which require antibiotics—could come with much more risk.

“The truth is, without reliably effective antibiotics, even the simplest of surgeries could pose a risk of major, life-threatening infections,” says Dr. Dao Nguyen, Director of the McGill Antimicrobial Resistance Centre.

It is estimated that by 2050, AMR will jeopardize 10 million lives worldwide. That’s why, at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), a team of specialists is working tirelessly to accelerate breakthroughs at the McGill Antimicrobial Resistance Centre (AMR Centre). As part of the McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity (MI4), Montreal’s powerhouse of infectious disease research, the McGill AMR Centre is funded in large part by donations to the MUHC Foundation.

“MI4 was created to address the growing problem of infectious diseases and the emerging crisis of superbugs, including future pandemics. Everything we do here is deeply interwoven in the fight against AMR, which is a global problem. We are very grateful to donors because they help us remain on the forefront of solving it,” says Dr. Marcel Behr, Co-Director, MI4.

At its core, the problem with AMR is not only the bacteria themselves, but the time it takes to identify them. Under traditional methods, clinicians must wait days for test results, forcing them to act without certainty in order to save a patient’s life. But when it comes to antimicrobial resistance, this is risky—because prescribing the wrong antibiotics at the wrong time may lead to treatments that do not work, or to overuse of antibiotics which unintentionally contribute to the rise of resistance.

At the McGill AMR Centre, a team of experts has come up with a groundbreaking solution. They developed a diagnostic system capable of identifying bacteria—and determining which antibiotics can stop them—in under 40 minutes. Referred to as QolorPhAST, this innovative technology was developed in the lab of Dr. Sara Mahshid (McGill Bioengineering), in collaboration with Dr. Cedric Yansouni (JD MacLean Centre for Tropical and Geographic Medicine) and Dr. Nguyen.

“New tools are needed to provide accurate results much faster and/or with a simplified workflow—QolorPhAST does both,” says Dr. Yansouni.

The QolorPhAST system is compact and automated, using nano-engineered sensors that visibly change colour when live bacteria metabolize. This immediate, visual response is paired with advanced machine-learning analysis, allowing clinicians to quickly identify both the bacteria causing an infection and which antibiotics will be effective, without the need for lengthy lab cultures.

“Every year, more than one million people die from AMR, more than from HIV/AIDS or malaria,” explains Dr. Mahshid. “Rapid testing is critical to making the right diagnosis and to choosing the right treatment.”

In a clinical test with 54 urine samples, QolorPhAST showed impressive accuracy when compared to traditional lab methods, all while dramatically cutting down turnaround time. Faster and more precise diagnostics mean doctors can confidently treat infections right from the start, reducing unnecessary antibiotic use and helping slow the spread of resistance.

Designed to be low-cost, portable, and easy to use, it has the potential to transform care across a wide range of settings—from hospitals to community clinics—particularly for common infections like urinary tract.

“AMR is a global problem that requires solutions that could be replicated across the world, and we know that deaths from infections and AMR are highest in countries with the least access to conventional laboratories. QolorPhAST could make testing more accessible where it is most needed,” adds Dr. Yansouni

One thing is certain: resistance to all antibiotics to date is inevitable.

Beyond their overuse in clinical settings, animal agriculture accounts for about 70% of global consumption, where they are routinely used to treat, control, and prevent diseases in livestock. This is a serious driver of AMR, which can spread to humans via food, environment (water/soil contamination), or direct contact.

“Not only do bacteria outnumber us, but they also can spread and rapidly evolve in order to survive. However, with advancements like QolorPhAST, we are in a much better position to address this crisis. Testing empowers us to accurately identify resistance, treat appropriately, and potentially prevent infections” adds Dr. Nguyen.

The innovative work being done at MI4 and the McGill AMR Centre is supported by millions of dollars in donations from the MUHC Foundation. These vital funds support trailblazing research and help position MI4 as a global leader in the fight against AMR.

“Breakthroughs like this do not happen in isolation. They are made possible by donors who believe in research and give it the momentum to move forward. Here in Montreal, we are incredibly fortunate to have the talent of the MUHC’s AMR Centre—teams who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible,” says Marie Hélène Laramée, President and CEO of the MUHC Foundation. “Because of that support, discoveries are reaching patients faster and changing what care can look like, here and around the world.”

Learn more about the important work taking place at MI4, and the ways in which you can help accelerate discovery in the global fight against AMR.