Project Description:

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections worldwide and are increasingly complicated by antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Current antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods typically require centralized laboratory infrastructure and can take 24–72 hours to provide results, delaying targeted treatment and contributing to unnecessary antibiotic use.

Paper-based diagnostic technologies offer the potential for low-cost, rapid, and decentralized testing. However, the development of a paper-based AMR test capable of reliably assessing bacterial susceptibility remains a significant challenge. In particular, the selection and integration of suitable antibiotics, media formulations, and detection mechanisms must be optimized to ensure accurate and clinically relevant results.

This project aims to investigate the feasibility of a paper-based AMR testing field for UTI pathogens and evaluate its performance using both laboratory strains and, where feasible, clinical urine samples.

Tasks:

The student will contribute to the development and validation of a paper-based antimicrobial resistance test field by:

Conducting a literature review on current antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods and clinically relevant antibiotics for UTIs.

Identifying and selecting suitable antibiotics for integration into a paper-based diagnostic platform.

Developing and optimizing media and test field formulations capable of supporting bacterial growth and susceptibility assessment.

Evaluating the response of common UTI pathogens (e.g., E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus) to selected antibiotics.

Investigating different antibiotic concentrations and storage approaches suitable for paper-based devices.

Performing experimental validation using laboratory bacterial strains.

Assisting with testing and evaluation using clinical urine samples, subject to availability and regulatory approval.

Analysing and presenting experimental data using appropriate statistical methods.

Documenting findings and providing recommendations for future device development.

Requirements:

We are looking for a motivated student with:

A background in Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Medical Technology, Chemical Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related field.

Interest in antimicrobial resistance, diagnostics, microbiology, or point-of-care testing.

Basic laboratory experience in microbiology or biological experimentation.

Experience with data analysis and scientific documentation.

Ability to work independently and contribute to a multidisciplinary development team.

Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to participate in hands-on experimental work.

Beneficial:

Experience working with bacterial cultures.

Familiarity with antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Knowledge of paper-based diagnostics, biosensors, or microfluidics.

Experience with statistical analysis using Python, MATLAB, or R.

Duration:

6-12 months

Contact Information:

seoras.russell@tum.de