Antibiotic Research UK awards grants to fund research worth £200,000

York, UK, 2nd November 2021 / Sciad Newswire / Antibiotic Research UK (ANTRUK), the world’s first charity tackling bacterial antibiotic resistance, is delighted to announce that it is funding seven new antibiotic research projects totalling £200,000, the largest sum it has ever awarded through its 2021 Small Research Grants / Career Development Awards scheme. The grants will fund essential academic research in both basic and applied sciences to help prevent another global pandemic, this time caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria.

The grants have been awarded to support seven research projects across the UK including:

• Dr Ryan Hamilton from the Leicester School of Pharmacy, DeMontfort University - Exploring the experiences and support needs of people living with antimicrobial resistance in the UK: A qualitative interview approach.
• Mrs Dora Elkholly from the Royal Veterinary College - Antimicrobial usage in farm animal veterinary practice in the UK: A mixed method approach.
• Dr Monique Andersson, Nuffield Div. Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Oxford University - A multicentre perspective cohort study to improve outcomes of necrotising otitis externa in the UK.
• Professor Lori Snyder, School of Life Science, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University - Preventing infant blindness using a non-antibiotic alternative.
• Mr Chris L B Graham, School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick - Antibiotic Breaker: The outer membrane and peptidoglycan link as a new antibiotic vulnerability.
• Professor Matthew Todd, School of Pharmacy, UCL - Drug candidates targeting multiple bacterial enzymes.
• Professor Jeff Errington, Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Newcastle University - Establishment of methods for discovery of novel antibacterial inhibitors of RodA protein.

Professor Colin Garner, Chief Executive, ANTRUK, commented: “We’re delighted to support this research to bring us closer to the charity’s vision of a world free from deaths caused by drug-resistant infections. Supporting researchers in UK academic institutions was one of the principal reasons behind the creation of our charity. I am delighted that we have been able to fund these projects, but also saddened that we couldn’t support more of the applications submitted owing to our limited funds. These important projects support our commitment to invest in high quality solutions to help save modern medicine through better antibiotic use and innovative new treatments. They also highlight that there is a funding gap in academia to support research into drug-resistant infections. We can do more, but we depend on the generosity of the public to help us.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About Antibiotic Research UK (ANTRUK)

The world’s first charity and only charity focussed on tackling bacterial antibiotic resistance. The charity’s mission is to develop new antibiotic treatments, educate the public about resistance and provide patient support. Since its formation in 2014, the charity has funded research, supported academic groups in universities and employed the country’s first Patient Support Officer focussed on supporting patients with an antibiotic resistant infection. The charity relies wholly on public donations and receives no government support.

You can learn more about Antibiotic Research UK at www.antibioticresearch.org.uk

For further information

Please contact Juliette Craggs/Richard Anderson on 020 3405 7892 or email media@antibioticresearch.org.uk

Learn more about Antibiotic Research UK (ANTRUK) at:
Website: www.antibioticresearch.org.uk
Facebook: @AntibioticResearchUK
Twitter: @1Antruk