Monash superbug project to mobilise genomics, digital health and AI
A Monash University research team will harness the power of technology to help diagnose, treat and prevent antimicrobial resistance — one of the globe’s most pressing health concerns.
The SuperbugAi Flagship project — awarded $3.4 million from the Medical Research Future Fund — involves researchers from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (MNHS) Department of Infectious Diseases, the Faculty of Information Technology (IT) and The Alfred’s Department of Infectious Diseases.
The innovative project will integrate genomics, electronic healthcare data and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to address antimicrobial resistance in the healthcare system. The research will also create a tracking and response system that will lead to earlier detection of superbugs, personalised treatment for patients and prevention of outbreaks.
Lead researcher Professor Anton Peleg is one of The Alfred’s leading physician-scientists and is internationally recognised for his work in antimicrobial resistance. Professor Peleg said the project will apply advanced technologies in healthcare settings.
“This combination of transformative technologies in medicine provides us with a unique opportunity to develop the future of health care — a smart, learning healthcare system that leverages the tens of thousands of data points per patient and infecting pathogens to help predict treatment responses and patient outcomes.
“This project will push the boundaries of what can be achieved in health care and how new technologies can be applied to understand how superbugs infect humans and the way they are transmitted within a hospital system,” Professor Peleg said.
Professor of Practice Digital Health Chris Bain explained the importance of reducing and preventing the spread of superbug infections.
“The WHO have looked at this issue in depth and tell us that currently 700,000 people die from antimicrobial-resistant infections each year and by 2050 the world could see 10 million deaths annually from previously treatable diseases. The cutting-edge applications of genomics, digital health and AI applied throughout this research will be vital in our progress in reducing superbug infections in the healthcare system,” Professor Bain said.
Monash Data Futures Institute Research Director and Professor of Data Science in the Faculty of IT Geoff Webb explained why the healthcare industry needs AI and data science to prepare for the future.
“With the application of AI and data science, we’re positively shaping the future of health in Australia and around the world. Monash has a long history of excellence in the health sciences and this project will continue to further our research breakthroughs, changing millions of lives for the better,” Professor Webb said.
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