Pioneering real-time genomic sequencing to combat superbugs

13 June 2025

Pioneering real-time genomic sequencing to combat superbugs

In a ground-breaking initiative, researchers at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute), in collaboration with seven major Victorian hospitals, have successfully integrated real-time genome sequencing into routine hospital care to tackle Staphylococcus aureus infections, also known as ‘golden staph’.

‘Golden staph’ bacteria are notorious for their rapid adaptation, often developing resistance to many antibiotics. Traditionally, hospital laboratory tests identify the type of bacteria present. Genome sequencing offers a comprehensive genetic profile of the bacteria and reveals the bacteria’s potential response to treatment.

This pioneering approach marks the first step to tracking bacterial evolution in real-time. It provides clinicians with actionable insights and the potential of personalised treatment strategies. By tailoring treatment to the specific bacterial strain, unnecessary treatments could be avoided, and the development of further antibiotic resistance minimised. In more than one third of cases, infectious disease specialists across Australia, Switzerland, the UK and the US rated these reports as “highly useful”, indicating that the information influenced their antibiotic treatment choice.

This research sets the stage for precision microbiology in hospitals and a step towards another tool to tackle antimicrobial resistance. Read more about our report with MTPConnect and the Australian Antimicrobial Resistance Nework (AAMRNet), “Fighting Superbugs: Ensuring Australia is Ready to Combat the Rise of Drug-Resistant Infections,” which highlights the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the superbug pandemic.