Melbourne researchers are leading a world-first project to fight superbugs in hospital by studying the DNA sequence of the bacteria.
The study will determine which strains are related, allowing for better and real-time tracking of the bugs across multiple hospitals.
The genomic sequencing may also help identify the best treatment for an infection, reducing the risk of bacteria developing further antibiotic resistance.
Researchers will predominantly focus on groups of superbugs that can live harmlessly in the human gut until the person becomes unwell, causing the bug to enter the bloodstream.
Melbourne man Mark Hanson has been living with a superbug infection after a motorcycle crash five years ago.
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He suffers from urinary tract infections brought on by antibiotic-resistant E. coli.
It is not known where Mr Hanson contracted the bug and he says it took a couple of years of persistent UTIs for the bacteria to be identified.
"When it hits, it's awful," he told AAP. "I'll get a temperature and uncontrollable shakes, and it's difficult to function."
Mr Hanson says he is excited that the genomics project could lead to a cure for his infection.
The project is one of five the Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance is tackling under a $25 million investment from the state government.
The alliance is also investigating bone marrow failure, earlier diagnosis of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases such as early-onset dementia, improved diagnosis of genetic kidney disease, and the causes of multiple abnormalities in babies who die in utero or in early infancy.
