High-throughput surveillance of ARGs
There are currently over 1,000 types of antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) that have been identified to confer resistance to the hundreds of available antibiotics. Consequently, monitoring human and environmental samples for ARGs requires the ability to perform high-throughput real-time PCR (qPCR) screens for many different target sequences in numerous sample types. Since bacteria are constantly developing new ARGs, it is critical to be able to modify and add new targets to the screen. Thus, ARG research requires a flexible, high-throughput qPCR system to monitor gene expression in a wide range of sample types.
The SmartChip Real-Time PCR System provides both flexibility and increased throughput, which have been instrumental in enabling studies of the antibiotic resistome and monitoring the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Large panels of 384 genes have been developed that focus on major classes of antibiotics and other contributors to resistance (see Table I).
| Target gene category | Number of primer sets |
|---|---|
| Tetracycline | 30 |
| Trimethoprim | 19 |
| Vancomycin | 22 |
| Aminoglycoside | 60 |
| Amphenicol | 19 |
| Beta-lactamase | 56 |
| Fluoroquinolone | 11 |
| Sulfonamide | 7 |
| Mobile genetic elements | 52 |
| Multidrug resistance | 48 |
Table I. Antibiotic resistance gene categories that have been analyzed on the SmartChip system.
The SmartChip system has been utilized in 75% of the publications using high-throughput qPCR for antibiotic resistance research (view selected publications), including the following topics:
- Detection of ARGs in manure and sewage, which can transfer antibiotic-resistant bacteria to crops and produce, as well as to analyze soil, sediment, and sludge samples from crops and areas that received significant organic fertilization or urban runoff from improperly treated wastewater
- Identification of potential threats to the drinking water supply by detecting ARGs in various environmental water sources such as streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans
- Screening for ARGs in hospitals, which may contain significant amounts of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that pose a risk to patients and can be detected in various locations, such as air conditioning filters, hospital wastewater, and treatment plants
Explore below to learn more about the use of the SmartChip system in various areas of antibiotic resistance surveillance, or contact us to learn more about how the platform can support your work.
Frequently asked questionsWhich other applications do you currently support?
We have supported a countless range of applications using our wide array of techniques and tools. The applications covered here are highlights of some of the areas we have supported over time. Contact us if you would like to discuss your specific application.
Do you provide assays, primer sets, or panels for COVID-19, antibiotic-resistance surveillance, or pathogen detection?
Aside from our complete clinical testing kits, we currently do not offer any assays for these applications. In many cases, our partners already have their own panels defined or supplied. However, we have multiple relationships with providers of primers and panels and can help you find the resources and suppliers you need to build a panel for your applications.
Can you help with nucleic acid purification or sample collection?
We have a large selection of nucleic acid purification products that we would be glad to discuss with you and help to implement into your workflows. We do not currently provide tools for sample collection.
Tracking down antibiotic resistance genes in hospitals
Discover how the SmartChip system can track antibiotic-resistant bacteria in hospitals in order to help prevent outbreaks among patients and staff.
Screening for antibiotic resistance genes in manure and sewage
Learn how the SmartChip system can track the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes from manure and sewage to crops and produce.
Uncovering antibiotic resistance genes in soil, sediment, and sludge
Find out how the SmartChip system can monitor the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in soil samples from different environments.
Identifying antibiotic resistance genes in water
Learn how the SmartChip system can detect potential threats to drinking water safety by profiling antibiotic resistance genes in various water sources.
High-throughput real-time PCR
Speed up your qPCR and RT-qPCR utilizing our automated, high-throughput SmartChip system that can process hundreds of samples in under four hours.
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