Novel interventions for eliminating one- health mobile antimicrobial resistance genes from human and animal microbiomes

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Antibiotic resistant bacteria pose a fundamental threat to human health. There is growing recognition that the genes that make bacteria resistant to antibiotics (AMR genes) are transferred between bacteria from agricultural animals and bacteria associated with humans. This exchange of AMR genes is mediated by self-replicating DNA molecules called plasmids that have the ability to transfer between bacterial cells. In this project we will test the ability of specialised viruses that target the plasmid transfer machinery to limit the spread of AMR genes in isolated pathogen populations and complex bacterial communities. Ultimately, this project will lead to the development of new phage based approaches for eradicating AMR genes from humans and agricultural animals that act as important sources of AMR genes, particularly in LMIC settings.