Overview: a new real-time bacterial detector coming to Portugal
A groundbreaking device that can identify bacteria in humans, animals, and the surrounding environment in real time and indicate the most effective antibiotic is set to be unveiled in Viseu this Friday. The technology, developed by ALS as part of the SMARTgNOTICS consortium—a collaboration of Portuguese public and private entities—will begin human and animal testing later this year at the CUF hospital network and the Lusiaves poultry group. The instrument promises to change how clinicians respond to infections by pinpointing the exact bacterial culprit and the most suitable drug in one step.
What makes this device distinctive
ALS explains that this technology can rapidly identify the infection-causing bacteria, enabling timely and targeted antibiotic therapy. For the first time in Portugal, two national institutions will deploy these devices, underscoring the potential to streamline diagnostics, cut unnecessary antibiotic use, and reduce treatment times. By identifying the pathogen, clinicians can move directly to administering the right antibiotic, rather than relying on empirical therapy and trial-and-error approaches.
Multipurpose applications across medicine and veterinary science
The system is designed to operate across human health, veterinary medicine, and environmental monitoring, fitting neatly into the One Health framework. Early trials will take place in hospital settings and in a large agricultural company, illustrating a linked approach to human and animal health as well as microbial ecosystems in the environment.
Context: why rapid diagnostics matter
Speaking ahead of the event, Manuela Caniça, who leads the National Reference Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance at the Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, highlighted the global urgency. She noted that the United Nations recognizes the benefits of investing in diagnostics, vaccines, and other alternatives to antibiotics, stressing the need for solidarity and shared effort to combat antimicrobial resistance. Caniça emphasized that only through fast, affordable diagnostic tests and strong laboratory capacity can resistance be curbed, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access remains uneven.
Event details: a round-table on antimicrobial resistance
On Friday, Viseu will host a round-table discussion centered on antimicrobial resistance and the role of rapid diagnostics. The event will feature prominent Portuguese experts who work at the intersection of human health, animal health, and environmental science. Attendees will explore how new diagnostic tools can be deployed alongside vaccines and novel therapeutics to tackle this global threat.
Expert perspectives: building a coordinated response
Patrícia Poeta, coordinator of the MicroART research group on antibiotic resistance, described antimicrobial resistance as a critical threat that spans human, animal, and environmental health. She warned that without an integrated response, advancements in one area may be nullified by setbacks in another, potentially leading to a broader health crisis. Poeta pledged to share interdisciplinary strategies in Viseu that strengthen coordinated action and sustain efforts against this global phenomenon.
Clinical and practical implications
Joana Lemos, a leader in internal medicine at CUF, underscored that antimicrobial resistance translates into longer hospital stays and higher mortality, reinforcing the need for better public education, rational antibiotic use, and investment in rapid diagnostics and new medicines. Her remarks align with a broader push toward technologies that quickly determine both infection and resistance patterns, allowing clinicians to tailor treatment from the outset.
Looking ahead: innovation beyond antibiotics
Sílvio Santos, associate director at the University of Minho’s Phage Technology Laboratory, reminded audiences that antibiotic resistance remains a leading cause of death worldwide and warned of future challenges if new solutions are not found. He will discuss the potential of bacteriophages as a promising complement to traditional antibiotics, exploring innovative approaches to manage multidrug-resistant infections while keeping diagnostic capabilities at the forefront of patient care.
About the consortium and the future of diagnostics in Portugal
ALS, which operates facilities in Tondela and works with international markets in life sciences, minerals, and energy, remains at the forefront of technical and laboratory services. The SMARTgNOTICS consortium brings together public and private organizations across Portugal to accelerate the development and adoption of next-generation diagnostics, with the real-time bacteria identification device at the center of a broader strategy to enhance antimicrobial stewardship and health security across human, animal, and environmental health sectors.
