The University fights back against the ‘antibiotic apocalypse’

What is AMR?

Antimicrobial Resistance describes how bacteria becomes resistant to antibiotics over time and with excessive use. Since their development over 90 years ago, the bacteria have become resistant to most antibiotics and now, we have bacteria which is resistant to all antibiotics.

The long term affects include a potential global death toll of 10 million annually by 2050, while the current UK death toll as a result of AMR sits at 700,000. The global economy is also estimated to suffer a whopping 10 trillion dollars due to the drain on the global workforce.

What is Salford doing to fight AMR?

To fight AMR, the university has created SARN, the ‘Salford Antibiotic Resistance Network.’ SARN, which boasts a network of researchers across all scientific disciplines, aims to help end AMR by discussing it with members of all scientific departments within the university.

SARN is also recruiting colleagues from engineering to investigate the creation of antimicrobial surfaces where bacteria can’t grow. These have the potential to be used in hospitals.

Dr Chloe James, Senior Lecturer in Medical Microbiology said: “At the university we have researchers across all disciplines who are working together. We all have a responsibility to address this.”

What can the public do to fight AMR?

Dr Joe Latimer, Lecturer in Antimicrobial Resistance says that if the public remains over-dependant on antibiotics, they will be rendered useless. He said: “If we don’t do anything, it will get to the point where they will become useless and we’ll end up dying from simple infections.”

What you should be asking yourself is ‘Do I really need it?”