12 hours ago
Last Updated:June 06, 2025, 15:17 IST
Australian scientists at the Peter Doherty Institute developed Real-Time Genome Sequencing to combat Staphylococcus aureus, improving treatment precision and saving lives
WHO warned that if antibiotic resistance continues to grow unchecked, superbugs could cause up to 10 million deaths annually by 2050.
In a major global health breakthrough, Australian scientists have developed a revolutionary technology to outsmart one of the world’s deadliest bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as ‘Golden Staph’. This superbug, which claims nearly a million lives each year, has increasingly outwitted conventional antibiotics, forcing the medical world to search for smarter solutions. Now, researchers at Melbourne’s Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity believe they may have found one.
Their answer lies in a cutting-edge innovation called Real-Time Genome Sequencing, a technique that allows doctors to track the DNA of dangerous bacteria live, as the infection progresses within the patient’s body. Unlike traditional lab tests that often only identify the bacteria species, this real-time sequencing goes several steps further: it pinpoints the exact genetic mutations, reveals how the bacteria is evolving, and identifies which antibiotics are likely to fail or succeed.
This leap in diagnostic precision means that treatment decisions can now be based on hard genomic data, rather than educated guesswork. Doctors can adapt therapies instantly as the infection mutates, a key advantage when dealing with highly resistant bacteria like Golden Staph.
The results of the study, recently published in Nature Communications, are striking. The technology was trialed across seven Melbourne hospitals. Researchers found that in nearly one-third of Golden Staph infection cases, the bacteria mutated during the course of treatment, rendering previously effective drugs useless.
In one particularly alarming case, a patient who appeared to recover relapsed shortly after stopping medication. When the infection returned, the bacteria had become 80 times more powerful. Thanks to real-time sequencing, clinicians were able to identify this sudden mutation early and swiftly alter the treatment plan, ultimately saving the patient’s life.
The success of the project is now paving the way for a global first. Hospitals across Victoria are preparing to launch the world’s first clinical genomic service, integrating this real-time technology into routine care for patients with severe, drug-resistant infections.
This innovation could not be more timely. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has already warned that if antibiotic resistance continues to grow unchecked, superbugs could cause up to 10 million deaths annually by 2050, surpassing the current global toll of cancer. Golden Staph is one of the biggest culprits, notorious for infecting wounds, lungs, and even the bloodstream, often in hospital settings.
“This is not just a scientific advancement, it’s a crucial tool in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance," said one of the lead researchers at the Doherty Institute.
Location :Australia
First Published:News world Australian Scientists Have Found A Way To Fight Superbug That Kills Lakhs Every Year
