A new system for the early diagnosis of sepsis using NGS genetic sequencing is being developed in Udine, coordinated by Silvio Brusaferro.

UDINE – A new frontier in the early diagnosis of sepsis comes from the Department of Medicine of the University of Udine, which is developing an innovative system based on next-generation genetic sequencing (NGS). The project, funded with €141,000 by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, is coordinated by Professor Silvio Brusaferro and involves faculty members Corrado Pipan and Carlo Tascini, together with LionDx, a company specialized in clinical microbiology.

A genetic test to identify sepsis within 24–48 hours

The research aims to create a rapid and highly sensitive test capable of identifying the DNA of bacteria and fungi in the patient’s blood and plasma, including antibiotic resistance genes.
This new method will allow results to be delivered within 24–48 hours, enabling physicians to intervene promptly with targeted and effective therapy, thereby increasing survival chances in sepsis cases.

This represents a decisive step forward, since sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by a severe and widespread inflammatory response of the body to infection.

How the NGS system works

Next-Generation Sequencing makes it possible to analyze whole blood and plasma without requiring viable cells, precisely detecting pathogenic microorganisms and their genetic resistance profiles.

This molecular approach, until now rarely used in clinical diagnostics due to time and cost constraints, has become more accessible and faster thanks to next-generation technologies applied by LionDx, the project’s technological partner.

A Friulian excellence in biomedical research

The project “Development of an NGS-based test for the detection of sepsis in blood and plasma” represents a synergy between academic research and industrial innovation, with the aim of transferring high-impact scientific results into clinical practice.

LionDx, a pioneer in fungal diagnostics, is known for having developed genetic identification kits for various Candida species and a next-generation multi-omics system for clinical microbiology.

A decisive step for personalized medicine

Thanks to this collaboration, the University of Udine confirms itself as a center of excellence in biomedical research in Northeast Italy, helping reshape the timing and protocols for diagnosing severe infections.

This achievement may transform the clinical management of sepsis, providing healthcare professionals with a precise, timely and personalized diagnostic tool — capable of saving lives and improving the quality of patient care.