COMBAT AMR
COMplex Biofilm & AMR Transmission
WELCOME TO COMBAT AMR
OUR MISSION
To control or eliminate multidrug resistance pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes from complex drain biofilms.
About Biofilms
Biofilms are the most common mode of bacterial growth, ubiquitous and widespread in nature.
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Biofilms harbour pathogens including multidrug resistant bacteria and antimicrobial resistance genes.
Biofilms act as reservoir and source for bacterial infection.
What don't we know about biofilms?
Most in vitro biofilm models investigate single bacterial species.
Multi-species biofilm models often lack reproducibility.
Our knowledge of AMR genes abundance and dissemination in complex biofilms remains limited.
Our knowledge of the impact of chemical or biological disinfection against complex biofilms remains limited.
Our Innovation
COMBAT AMR uses a new multi-species biofilm model to study multidrug resistant organisms and AMR genes within multi-species biofilms isolated from different One Health environments.
Our One Health environment
COMBAT AMR is studying drain biofilms from healthcare settings, homes and farms.
An introduction to the COMBAT project by Prof. Jean-Yves Maillard
COMBAT AMR
AT A GLANCE
Emerging antimicrobial resistance in bacteria is one of the most important global challenges of our time.
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Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria will lead to infections that can no longer be treated.
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COMBAT AMR is a multidisciplinary European consortium which aims to understand and control the emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance in drain biofilms.
WHAT QUESTIONS IS COMBAT AMR AIMING TO ADDRESS ?
01.
Do complex biofilms in different environmental One Health areas impact on persistence of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO)?
02.
Do complex biofilms in different environmental One Health areas impact on the dissemination of AMR genes and lead to MDRO?
03.
What is the impact of disinfectant or cleaning products on complex biofilm microbiota diversity in different environmental One Health areas?
04.
What is the impact of disinfectant or cleaning products on the dissemination of AMR genes in complex biofilms in different environmental One Health areas?
05.
Could common interventions to control MDRO and AMR dissemination be applicable to different One Health areas?
OUR MODEL
Our small scale complex biofilm model is based on the use of a peristaltic pump enabling the formation of six identical complex biofilms.
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Complex multi-species biofilms are sourced from the environment and use to inoculate our model.
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Our model is based on the scientific paper from Ledwoch & colleagues published in the Journal of Hospital Infection (2020;106(4):757-64)
Comparison between sink trap and our bottle trap model
Laboratory setting of our small scale complex biofilm model
