Simple optical nanomotion method for single-bacterium viability and antibiotic response testing

Here we used a nanomotion detection method based on optical microscopy for testing bacterial viability. This novel technique only requires a very basic microfluidic analysis chamber, and a optical microscope equipped with a camera or a mobile phone. No attachment of the microorganisms is needed, nor are specific bacterial stains or markers. This single-cell technique was successfully tested to obtain AST for motile, non-motile, gram-positive and -negative bacteria. The simplicity and efficiency of the method make it a game-changer in the field of rapid AST.