Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a globally important issue which is increasingly compromising human health. It occurs when microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and protozoans) gain the ability to grow in the presence of one or more compounds (antibiotics, antiseptics and antimicrobials) that are supposed to either kill them, or prevent their growth.

Resistance is present in every country and antimicrobial resistant microorganisms do not respect international borders. New resistance mechanisms emerge and rapidly spread across the globe leading to increased morbidity and mortality. The effects of AMR are predicted to be felt more in LMICs. Furthermore; modern medicine is underpinned by the prophylactic use of antibiotics. Without them treatments for cancer, operations, organ transplants, child birth, etc. will become increasing dangerous.

AMR is now firmly on the national and international political agendas, being discussed recently at the United Nations General Assembly in a High-Level meeting. This was only the fourth time in the history of the UN that a health topic has been discussed at the General Assembly (the other were; HIV, noncommunicable diseases, and Ebola)

Solutions to problems from antimicrobial resistance do not lie in a single field of science. To tackle them, multiple and complementary research approaches are needed; with understanding required from the molecular to the societal level. Our translational research projects span this entire spectrum of activity.