What is AMR?

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when the pathogens that cause infection change to withstand the effects of treatments. 

Read about what causes AMR and why it's such a serious threat to global health, resulting in millions of deaths per year. 

Combating antimicrobial resistance through discovery science, technology development, policy, and precision medicine

Hundreds of ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ researchers are working to understand and combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Below, learn how ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ researchers across every Faculty and in dedicated Centres and Networks are funded and supported to:

  • Uncover resistance mechanisms and pathogen biology
  • Understand origins of AMR and track spread
  • Develop cutting-edge technological, therapeutic, diagnostic, surveillance, policy, and decision-making solutions

Pick a topic to learn more about what we are doing

Origins

Exploring how resistance emerges, including through antibiotic misuse, environmental selection, and resistance mechanisms.

Explore ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ's research to understand the origins of AMR

Transmission

Investigating how resistance spreads, including between patients, among bacterial communities, via vectors, and through the environment.

Explore ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ research investigating transmission of AMR

Infection and solutions

Infection

Understanding how drug-resistant pathogens colonise and infect their hosts, exploring host genetics, co-infections, pathogen biology, and patient management.

Explore how ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ researchers are studying infection

Solutions

Transforming how we treat, diagnose, monitor and control infections, including through precision prescribing, surveillance, diagnostics, and new treatments.

Explore how ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ researchers are devising solutions

 

 

Explore ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ's AMR research infrastructure and find an AMR expert

logos for Institute of Infection, NIHR HPUR HCAI and AMR, CAMO, BRC, and Networks of Excellence

AMR-focussed Centres and Networks across ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ

AMR research takes place across all four faculties at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ as well as in specialised Centres and Networks.

Explore the Centres and Networks focussed on AMR research

AMR grants and projects

Selected AMR projects and grants

³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ hosts large grants and consortia focussed on AMR.

Explore some of the AMR-related projects

Matrix of photos

Find an ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ researcher

Hundreds of researchers across the faculties of Medicine, Natural Science, Engineering and Business contribute to AMR research.

Explore a list of ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ AMR researchers

AMR news and events

Antimicrobial resistance news from ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ researchers

Photos of Prof Shiranee Sriskandan and Dr Andy Edwards

Experts fighting bactieral resistance

November 2024: Meet the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ experts fighting bacterial resistance through innovation
Alison Holmes

Prof Alison Holmes appointed Director of Fleming Initiative

October 2024: Professor Alison Holmes appointed inaugural Director of the Fleming Initiative
A corner of Time Square is illuminated with a Fleming Initiative bill board

Fleming Initiative raises £100m for AMR

September 2024: Three new partners pledge additional funding and resources to the Fleming Initiative’s global efforts against AMR
Green and white capsule pills against a yellow background

GSK backs ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s Fleming Initiative with £45m pledge to

May 2024: GSK will become the first partner of the new ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ-led Fleming Initiative, which aims to tackle AMR globally.
A gloved hand holds a yellow petri dish with colonies

Fleming Initiative featured in National Action Plan on AMR

May 2024: The Fleming Initiative is named as key to achieving the Government’s ambitions for tackling AMR over the next 5 years.
A graphic of fungal spores

³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ-led network to tackle AMR and fungal disease

July 2024: UKRI funding to advance our knowledge of the underlying drivers of drug-resistant fungal infections & develop countermeasures.
A gloved hand holds a yellow petri dish with colonies

Fleming Initiative featured in National Action Plan for AMR

May 2024: The Fleming Initiative is named as key to achieving the Government’s ambitions for tackling antimicrobial resistance over the next 5 years.
Photo of the Houses of Parliament from across the river

Fleming Initiative's innovative media network fighting AMR

May 2024: Fleming Initiative unites clinician creators & communication experts to launch CHAIN: an innovative media network fighting AMR
Collage of photos from the panel discussion and networking

Event: Impact of AI on AMR: Common themes & challenges

Feb 2024: Event exploring visions, themes & challenges around the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Illustration of Salmonella bacteria - Shutterstock

Government backs Fleming Centre to fight threat of AMR

Nov 2023: The UK Government commits £5M to support the Fleming Centre which aims to put society at the heart of solving AMR threat

Event: CBRB Symposium 2023

25th September, 9:00-17:00; Sir Alexander Fleming Building

Antibiotics promote the growth of resistant gut bacteria

August 2023: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria thrive when drugs kill 'good' gut bacteria

Lateral cotransduction: A new gene transfer mechanism

August 2023: Breakthrough discovery sheds light on a novel pathway through which bacteria evolve

Citizen science shows widespread fungal resistance

July 2023: 1 in 20 spores we inhale found to be resistant

Prince William to patron appeal to build The Fleming Centre

July 2023: ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ College Healthcare NHS Trust and ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ have launched an appeal to build The Fleming Centre, with Prince William

New global research consortium to optimise antibiotic use

April 2023: CAMO-Net will support translational research to help tackle the main drivers of antimicrobial resistance.

Gut bacteria use super-polymers to dodge antibiotics

April 2023: Gut bacteria form extracellular appendages called F-pili to transfer genes

International diagnostics network to tackle AMR

November 2023: Network to tackle challenges of new diagnostics combatting antimicrobial resistance

2021: ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Story: AMR - A silent pandemic

Exploring how ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ researchers are seeking ways to battle AMR

Past news

See our list of past news AMR news stories from ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ researchers

Contacts

  • Institute of Infection theme lead for AMR: Dr Andy Edwards 
  • For any other queries, contact Dr Melanie Bradnam (Manager, Institute of Infection)
  • receive emails and updates about AMR-related funding and activities