On February 14, the Hospital del Mar hosted the fourth follow-up meeting of the PHITBAC project, an initiative that brings together a consortium of both public and private entities, focused on the creation of nanophotonic sensors for the diagnosis and management of bacterial infections. This effort is carried out in a context where bacterial infections represent a crucial challenge for healthcare, especially due to the increasing antibiotic resistance.
The project, supported by the Ministry of Science and Innovation, is coordinated by the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) under the direction of Dr. Laura Lechuga, in collaboration with the National Center of Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC). A multidisciplinary team of professionals from the Hospital del Mar, including prominent figures like Dr. Juan Pablo Horcajada and Drs. Milagro Montero and Luisa Sorli, actively participate in this research, along with representatives from the Pharmacy service, Dr. Santi Grau and Dr. Sònia Luque. Additionally, the Vall d’Hebron Hospital and the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), along with the companies Biomedal and Aptus Biotech, have joined this collaboration.
The main goal of PHITBAC is to develop rapid tests that allow for the immediate identification of bacteria and their antibiotic resistance, as well as measuring the levels of these drugs in blood. This kind of speedy diagnosis is essential to tackle severe infections, where delay can have fatal consequences. The lack of effective tools for real-time monitoring of antibiotics in the clinical environment is a critical need that the project aims to address.
Through the use of nanotechnology, it is hoped not only to accelerate diagnoses but also to improve therapeutic monitoring, which will result in better quality of care and outcomes for patients affected by severe infections. This project is a clear commitment to innovation in public health and strengthening the response to the growing challenge posed by bacterial infections.
Source: MiMub in Spanish