PLymouth ANtimicrobial EngagemenT (PLANET) Initiative
Highlighting the issue of antimicrobial and antibiotic resistance
"If new, powerful antibiotic drugs are not discovered, we ‘may’ return to the pre-antibiotic era."
Mathew Upton from the University of Plymouth thinks that the solution may lie deep under the surface of the ocean, in dark, cold environments where weird and wonderful sponges live. Mathew is a Professor in Medical Microbiology at the University of Plymouth and the lead for the Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens Research Group.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organised by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats facing us today.
Why it is relevant to you: without effective antibiotics many routine treatments will become increasingly dangerous. Setting broken bones, basic operations, even chemotherapy and animal health all rely on access to antibiotics that work.
Antibiotic discovery
Antibiotic resistant pathogens research group
Antibiotic resistant infections are one of the leading threats to human health and modern medicine. The WHO and international governments have stated that urgent measures are needed to avert the crisis we face.
In our group, we have a programme of drug discovery to help meet the need for new antibiotics. Our lead antimicrobial, epidermicin, has unique activity in a relevant infection model and is in pre-clinical testing.
These antibiotics are of a new class (bacteriocins), have novel mechanisms of action and have excellent potential for development into the next generation of powerful antibiotics to treat and prevent drug resistant infections.
Diagnostics
Molecular Microbiology Research Group
By 2050 it is estimated that 10 million people world-wide will die as a result of being infected with drug-resistant bacteria (Lord Jim O’Neil, 2014). Bacteria which were previously susceptible to antibiotic treatment have evolved to develop resistance to commonly used antibiotics, rendering them ineffective to combat infection. Now there are fewer antibiotics available to treat patients with certain infections. Hence, there is a global drive not only to discover new antibiotics to combat these bacteria, but also to develop new types of diagnostics that can help diagnose infection at point of care.
Research focuses on designing low cost, rapid (5 minutes!), point of care nucleic acid-based biosensor assays for detection of AMR resistance genes and other pathogens that work within minutes from sample to result. This research is multidisciplinary and encompasses the Engineering, Biology, Informatics and Chemistry disciplines.
Our impact
In the news
- University integral to £15.6m investment in maritime innovation at Appledore 19 January 2023
- University hosts activities for World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 17 November 2022
- Drugs used to treat HIV and flu can have detrimental impact on crops 28 January 2021
- ‘A threat greater than Covid’ – why we should be paying more attention to antimicrobial resistance 18 November 2020
- Plymouth-led antibiotic discovery network goes global 16 November 2020
2018 Antibiotic Guardian Awards
The University’s public engagement work to raise awareness of the issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was recently shortlisted in the 2018 Antibiotic Guardian Awards, on behalf of Public Health England, in the Public Engagement category.
The AMR team, comprising academic and professional services staff, post-doctoral researchers, PhD candidates and undergraduate project students, has held a range of events over the past year – and continues to do so – to highlight the issues surrounding antibiotic resistance and the need to preserve their efficacy for future generations.
Read the full news release for further information
Destroy deadly bacteria and keep humanity's precious antibiotics working for as long as you can in this free, fast-paced, and addictive action game.
The story of this casual, real-time puzzle game comes straight from today's headlines: the rise of superbugs, resistant bacteria which can't be killed by the drugs we rely on to fight infection.
"The new Superbugs game looks great – and as well as being fun, it will help you find out about the huge problem of drug-resistant bacteria – a threat to all our health." Professor Alice Roberts.
“Antibiotic resistance threatens mankind with the prospect of a return to the pre-antibiotic era.” (House of Lords report 1998)
The issues of the unsustainable use of antibiotics has rumbled along in the background for many years with academic report after academic report highlighting that overuse and misuse is causing ‘super-bug’ bacteria to develop which is treatment resistant.
Read Dr Victoria Hurth's blog on balancing the short and long term, international cooperation and intergenerational justice when it comes to sustainability and the use of antibiotics.
Key messages on antimicrobial use are available on the UK government website. There is guidance on how to use antibiotics responsibly for patients, animal keepers and pet owners, and prescribers.
Antibiotic Guardian
Antibiotic Guardian supports the UK Antimicrobial Resistance strategy, European Antibiotic Awareness Day (18 November) and World Antibiotic Awareness Week.
Pledge now to become an Antibiotic Guardian!
The Antibiotic Guardian Quiz
Test and improve your knowledge with these quizzes and crossword puzzles on antibiotic resistance.