Award-winning KUISCID project tackles antibiotic resistance with early diagnosis

Bizden Haberler spoke with Dr Füsun Can, head of the Department of Medical Microbiology at Koç University School of Medicine and deputy director of the Koç University İş Bankası Infectious Diseases Center (KUISCID), about the details of her award-winning project. 

Professor Can was recently honored with the 2025 Nature MDx Impact Award, which recognizes pioneering research with the potential to transform clinical diagnostics and patient outcomes.  

Could you share with us the details of your “Rapid detection of ViruResist Klebsiella pneumoniae” project and the key benefits it provides?

The goal of our award-winning project is to enable the fast, precise detection of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae. This is a highly dangerous bacterium known for its multi-drug resistance and its link to severe illness and high death rates, making timely identification critical. As part of the project, we developed an innovative molecular diagnostic approach that integrates the bacterium’s highly pathogenic genes and antibiotic resistance markers into a single diagnostic platform. This diagnostic method, designed for the first time as part of this project, generated 37 responses to needs that are critical from both a scientific and a clinical perspective. This approach allows us to do more than just identify the bacteria. We can now determine how dangerous the strain is and which antibiotics it resists—all at a very early stage of the infection. This will significantly support the rapid initiation of effective treatment for infections caused by this bacterium while also reducing unnecessary or inappropriate antibiotic use and allowing hospital outbreaks to be detected and controlled at an early stage. We view the 2025 Nature MDx Impact Award as a major validation of our work, demonstrating that the approach we developed offers a tangible and innovative contribution to the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance.

Looking ahead, how do you envision this project contributing to infection control and treatment protocols in the long term?

From an infection control perspective, the rapid diagnostic approach we developed allows for the detection of resistant and/or hypervirulent strains at a very early stage, enabling the more effective implementation of hospital isolation measures, contact tracing, and targeted screening strategies. This will provide a critical advantage in terms of preventing outbreaks and breaking the chain of transmission, particularly within intensive care units and high-risk wards. With respect to its contribution to treatment protocols, we expect that the project will support the rational use of antibiotics. Knowing the antibiotic resistance profile at an early stage will allow for a more targeted selection of treatments. This not only will increase treatment success rates but will also help prevent the development of new resistance. At the same time, the early identification of patients at risk of a severe disease course will enable closer clinical monitoring and the timely initiation of appropriate supportive treatments.

How does the research infrastructure provided by KUISCID play a role in the development of such pioneering projects?

By housing clinical microbiology, infectious diseases, and public health under a single roof, KUISCID creates an environment in which ideas can evolve from the lab into clinical practice and, ultimately, benefit society at large. The center’s greatest strengths however lie in its deep experience with interdisciplinary collaboration and multi-center studies. Research carried out in such an environment ensures that infectious disease challenges are addressed from multiple perspectives, allowing for the faster development of innovative solutions. Consisting of high-security laboratories, advanced molecular technologies managed by expert researchers, and extensive clinical sample collections, the center’s assets make it possible to conduct research using real-world data. This ensures that projects don't just remain at a theoretical level; instead, they evolve into practical solutions that directly address patient needs. KUISCID also offers vital opportunities for young researchers by providing them with training and access to international collaborations. Ultimately, the center’s multidisciplinary framework fosters a research culture in which innovative ideas are truly championed.  This very culture played a decisive role in the birth of a project idea whose implementation has earned a Nature MDx Impact Award.