Researchers at the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT) and the Jena University Hospital have developed a highly promising rapid antibiotic test for identifying multi-resistant pathogens. The test can determine which bacteria caused an infection and which antibiotics can treat them best – all within just a few hours. The test, which relies on a laser-based diagnostic process, also shows which antibiotics the identified pathogens are already resistant to. The treatment can thus be highly focused without wasting precious time.