Bridging the Gaps: Systems-level approaches to antimicrobial resistance
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Nottingham
Department Name: Sch of Mathematical Sciences
Abstract
The problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasing challenge, not only in the context of healthcare but also in, for example, food safety and agriculture. The prevalence of resistant bugs such as MRSA has received widespread media coverage and the problems relating to resistance are now more widely recognised than ever before, as is the importance of developing new approaches, particularly given the increase in issues associated with multidrug resistant species. The current proposal seeks to drawn on wide-ranging applicable expertise in engineering and the physical sciences that, in collaboration with biological-science researchers, clinicians and industry, offers hitherto unexploited opportunities to contribute significantly to addressing these very significant challenges.
We shall accordingly deliver a programme of activities that promotes new interdisciplinary collaborations across traditional boundaries between engineering, the physical sciences and the biological sciences. The University of Nottingham has an outstanding history of such discipline-bridging activities, as well as of research relevant to AMR, and will bring this experience to bear upon the challenge of AMR.
The primary mechanism for promoting new research collaborations will be that of themed Sandpits, building on the success of the Mathematics-in-Medicine Study Groups pioneered by the University in 2000 (and subsequently spawning the Mathematics-in-the-Plant-Sciences Study Groups and others). In these, presenters from the biological sciences, clinical medicine or industry will describe issues that could benefit from new approaches drawn from engineering and the physical sciences; intensive brain-storming work on these topics will identify the skills needed and establish the relevant cross-disciplinary teams; seed funding will then be provided for the most promising projects identified. While the process is now well-established, the outcomes of such workshops are very far from predictable and the aggregation of the range of disciplines outlined above should ensure that innovative approaches come to the fore. Other mechanisms will include Challenge Days (modifying the successful approach of the Industry Challenge Days held by the Business School to ensure that research developments align with the needs of potential end users), discipline-hopping secondments, speed-networking sessions, cross-disciplinary workshops (focussing on specific methodologies, to enhance further the opportunities for identifying potential crossovers between research fields) and annual showcases in the form of a launch event and a concluding 'forward-look' workshop. These activities will be augmented by a Visiting-Scholar programme whereby leading experts in complementary areas will contribute their expertise to the initiative.
Funding from the programme will be assigned in competition to multidisciplinary projects judged on their research excellence and their capacity to contribute to addressing AMR challenges. The programme's Strategy Group will be responsible for assessing applications and for monitoring progress; the activities outlined above are specifically designed (in particular by bringing together researchers from diverse disciplines) to ensure that the research ideas developed are highly innovative and that the associated projects have the required mix of research expertise. The programme will be very explicitly outward-facing, drawing extensively on input from clinicians, industrialists and other potential end users, as well as interacting with complementary research elsewhere. In combination with the excellence and innovation of the research developed, such collaborations will ensure the sustainability of the initiative.
We shall accordingly deliver a programme of activities that promotes new interdisciplinary collaborations across traditional boundaries between engineering, the physical sciences and the biological sciences. The University of Nottingham has an outstanding history of such discipline-bridging activities, as well as of research relevant to AMR, and will bring this experience to bear upon the challenge of AMR.
The primary mechanism for promoting new research collaborations will be that of themed Sandpits, building on the success of the Mathematics-in-Medicine Study Groups pioneered by the University in 2000 (and subsequently spawning the Mathematics-in-the-Plant-Sciences Study Groups and others). In these, presenters from the biological sciences, clinical medicine or industry will describe issues that could benefit from new approaches drawn from engineering and the physical sciences; intensive brain-storming work on these topics will identify the skills needed and establish the relevant cross-disciplinary teams; seed funding will then be provided for the most promising projects identified. While the process is now well-established, the outcomes of such workshops are very far from predictable and the aggregation of the range of disciplines outlined above should ensure that innovative approaches come to the fore. Other mechanisms will include Challenge Days (modifying the successful approach of the Industry Challenge Days held by the Business School to ensure that research developments align with the needs of potential end users), discipline-hopping secondments, speed-networking sessions, cross-disciplinary workshops (focussing on specific methodologies, to enhance further the opportunities for identifying potential crossovers between research fields) and annual showcases in the form of a launch event and a concluding 'forward-look' workshop. These activities will be augmented by a Visiting-Scholar programme whereby leading experts in complementary areas will contribute their expertise to the initiative.
Funding from the programme will be assigned in competition to multidisciplinary projects judged on their research excellence and their capacity to contribute to addressing AMR challenges. The programme's Strategy Group will be responsible for assessing applications and for monitoring progress; the activities outlined above are specifically designed (in particular by bringing together researchers from diverse disciplines) to ensure that the research ideas developed are highly innovative and that the associated projects have the required mix of research expertise. The programme will be very explicitly outward-facing, drawing extensively on input from clinicians, industrialists and other potential end users, as well as interacting with complementary research elsewhere. In combination with the excellence and innovation of the research developed, such collaborations will ensure the sustainability of the initiative.
Planned Impact
The work in this programme, and that subsequently pursued as a consequence of the developments that it enables, have the scope to impact in numerous contexts, including in advancing diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities of clinicians, in improved understanding of environmental factors, in associated developments of interest to a range of industries and in a greater public awareness of factors that contribute to antimicrobial resistance (particularly in perhaps less understood areas such as overuse in farming practices). Such impacts will produce a variety of benefits.
1. Economic benefits - for example to the pharmaceutical industry with respect to improved treatments (for example in new targets, better understanding of the pathways, improved delivery), to medical-device companies (such as through developing improved antimicrobial coatings for medical devices) and to the farming industry (notably in terms of improved procedures for disposal and decreased reliance on antibiotics for livestock feed).
2. Social benefits - any advances in tackling the AMR challenge would have positive effects on society, in particular education over misuse and disposal of antibiotics and on key issues that are less publicised such as understanding the importance of the setting (environmental factors).
3. Health benefits - better diagnostics would allow the more rapid detection and appropriate treatment of antimicrobial-resistant infections and the development of better understanding would lead to more effective treatments, as well as ones less likely to increase the spread of resistance. Such impacts will be of benefit not just to human health: there are broader implications for animal health that should be enhanced through work with the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, with the University Farm and with water companies and other organisations involved in waste disposal.
4. Environmental benefits - improvements in the disposal of antibiotics and in the treatment of water and waste post-disposal would bring about a number of environmental benefits, for example in water cleanliness and soil quality. Decreasing reliance on antibiotics in livestock farming would also contribute to a healthier environment.
1. Economic benefits - for example to the pharmaceutical industry with respect to improved treatments (for example in new targets, better understanding of the pathways, improved delivery), to medical-device companies (such as through developing improved antimicrobial coatings for medical devices) and to the farming industry (notably in terms of improved procedures for disposal and decreased reliance on antibiotics for livestock feed).
2. Social benefits - any advances in tackling the AMR challenge would have positive effects on society, in particular education over misuse and disposal of antibiotics and on key issues that are less publicised such as understanding the importance of the setting (environmental factors).
3. Health benefits - better diagnostics would allow the more rapid detection and appropriate treatment of antimicrobial-resistant infections and the development of better understanding would lead to more effective treatments, as well as ones less likely to increase the spread of resistance. Such impacts will be of benefit not just to human health: there are broader implications for animal health that should be enhanced through work with the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, with the University Farm and with water companies and other organisations involved in waste disposal.
4. Environmental benefits - improvements in the disposal of antibiotics and in the treatment of water and waste post-disposal would bring about a number of environmental benefits, for example in water cleanliness and soil quality. Decreasing reliance on antibiotics in livestock farming would also contribute to a healthier environment.
Organisations
- University of Nottingham (Lead Research Organisation)
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (Collaboration)
- Sao Paulo State University (Collaboration)
- Food Standards Agency (FSA) (Collaboration)
- James Hutton Institute (Collaboration)
- Farmwizard (Collaboration)
- University of Surrey (Collaboration)
- TBG Solutions (Collaboration)
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (Collaboration)
- Intel (United States) (Collaboration)
- Nottingham Trent University (Collaboration)
- DEXO TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED (Collaboration)
- National Institute of Materials Physics Magurele-Bucharest (Collaboration)
- John Desmond Ltd (Collaboration)
- Velcourt Ltd (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON (Collaboration)
- Jagiellonian University (Collaboration)
- Government of Romania (Collaboration)
- University of Groningen (Collaboration)
- The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (Collaboration)
- Poznan University of Medical Sciences (Collaboration)
- Severn Trent Water (Collaboration)
- National Farmers Union (Collaboration)
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (Collaboration)
- Surescreen Diagnostics Limited (Collaboration)
- Lindhurst Engineering Ltd (Collaboration)
Publications
Swift BMC
(2019)
Anthropogenic environmental drivers of antimicrobial resistance in wildlife.
in The Science of the total environment
Popa A
(2019)
Antibacterial efficiency of alkali-free bio-glasses incorporating ZnO and/or SrO as therapeutic agents
in Ceramics International
Burroughs L
(2020)
Development of dual anti-biofilm and anti-bacterial medical devices
in Biomaterials Science
Shaw LM
(2019)
DirtyGenes: testing for significant changes in gene or bacterial population compositions from a small number of samples.
in Scientific reports
Stuart BW
(2018)
Gallium incorporation into phosphate based glasses: Bulk and thin film properties.
in Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials
Wadge M
(2018)
Generation and characterisation of gallium titanate surfaces through hydrothermal ion-exchange processes
in Materials & Design
Chauhan VM
(2021)
Gold-Oligonucleotide Nanoconstructs Engineered to Detect Conserved Enteroviral Nucleic Acid Sequences.
in Biosensors
Soukarieh F
(2018)
In Silico and in Vitro-Guided Identification of Inhibitors of Alkylquinolone-Dependent Quorum Sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
in Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Spankie TJ
(2020)
Interaction of the maturation protein of the bacteriophage MS2 and the sex pilus of the Escherichia coli F plasmid.
in Journal of molecular graphics & modelling
Braim S
(2019)
Lactoferrin-Loaded Alginate Microparticles to Target Clostridioides difficile Infection.
in Journal of pharmaceutical sciences
Esener N
(2021)
Mass spectrometry and machine learning for the accurate diagnosis of benzylpenicillin and multidrug resistance of Staphylococcus aureus in bovine mastitis.
in PLoS computational biology
Fuentes-Dominguez R
(2022)
Nanoimpedimetry with plasmonic nanoparticles
Abayzeed S
(2022)
Nanoimpedimetry with plasmonic nanoparticles
Hossain KMZ
(2018)
Porous calcium phosphate glass microspheres for orthobiologic applications.
in Acta biomaterialia
Maciel-Guerra A
(2021)
Prediction of Streptococcus uberis clinical mastitis treatment success in dairy herds by means of mass spectrometry and machine-learning.
in Scientific reports
Williams O
(2019)
Removal of copper from cattle footbath wastewater with layered double hydroxide adsorbents as a route to antimicrobial resistance mitigation on dairy farms.
in The Science of the total environment
McSweeney B
(2018)
Tu1894 - Potential Motivators and Deterents for Stool Donors: A Multicenter Study
in Gastroenterology
Stuart BW
(2018)
Two step porosification of biomimetic thin-film hydroxyapatite/alpha-tri calcium phosphate coatings by pulsed electron beam irradiation.
in Scientific reports
| Description | The events and funding opportunities have instigated and funded novel research and, most significantly, this research is already impacting on the treatment of AMR in farms and hospitals. For example, our researchers are informing farmers and government agencies on how to treat farm slurry and the causes of AMR spread, and beginning to help the NHS reduce surgical infection with a newly developed toolkit. Promising research continues on the development of novel antimicrobial drugs, stopping microbes from strengthening themselves by forming biofilms, creating 'point of care' GP tests for bacterial infections, and exploring potential alternatives to antibiotics such as quorum sensing. Relationships have been built with NHS colleagues, veterinary clinicians, policymakers and industrial partners, allowing our research efforts to be well-informed and impactful for the general population. A number of these are new or deepened industrial collaborations that cannot currently be discussed due to confidentiality agreements. Internally, the grant has resulted in a large number of new collaborations and new research groups, creating a step change in the research practices in antimicrobial resistance across the institution with cross-disciplinary, cross-site, research becoming the norm. The grant also supported early career researchers with event opportunities and pump prime grants that allowed them access to expertise and funding that can be difficult to access during the early career stage, helping to incentivise researchers to work in this essential area. As the majority of the projects that were funded were proof of concept it will take some time for all of the impacts to be fully realised but the grant was successful in meeting all of its award objectives and instigating a large number of new research questions and opportunities. |
| Exploitation Route | New techniques, tools and datasets have been developed that are all relevant for further scientific enquiry. As noted above, some of the pump prime projects are already exhibiting impact and many developments e.g. those in POC devices, treatment of animal bedding, are likely to have further direct impacts on patients, treatment of animals, best economic options for farmers and animal health, behaviour of the general public etc. The majority of the research findings will be put to use by a collaborative team formed of researchers and farmers/clinical staff/industrial partners/government agencies etc. Such links were put in place early, often before pump prime funding/match funding was made available, meaning that the partners helped to define the research projects from the concept stage, and there is already interest and understanding from the relevant sector in how the research might be put to use. Project teams are currently in the process of applying for further funding or completing additional project work to support further funding applications. Some research, such as the development of potential antimicrobials and fundamental work on quorum sensing to alter bacteria, primarily informs academia at this early stage of the work, as it is broadening our understanding of what AMR itself is. Such work is a cornerstone of future research in this relatively underexplored area. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Environment,Healthcare,Government, Democracy and Justice,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | Our researchers are informing farmers and government agencies on how to treat farm slurry and bedding and the causes of AMR spread, and beginning to help the NHS reduce surgical infection with a newly developed toolkit. Findings have resulted in changes to the education of healthcare professionals, incorporation of our findings into NHS improvement projects and in informing governmental organisations such as the Animal and Plant Health Agency and DEFRA. Farmers have directly been informed by our novel research to understand more about the spread of AMR via direct farm visits and attendance at events such as National Sheep congress and the Sheep Breeders Round Table. Outreach activities have been significant, with between 1,000-5,000 estimated members of the general public interacted with on a personal level, including actively participating in research such as learning how to swab for antimicrobials in the local community. Our findings have been used to inform people interacting with us across the web, including social media presence and an exceedingly popular online course (for the general public and those working worldwide in farming-related sectors) via FutureLearn that was shortlisted for the Learning on Screen Awards 2017. Findings have been used to directly influence the economic prospects and technological advancement of local and multinational companies, including at meetings and events (activities have already impacted on competitive business decisions) and as a result of further direct work to develop a key piece of research (full economic outcomes yet to follow). Some elements of the impact cannot be shared due to business sensitivity and intellectual property concerns. Current impacts include economic, social, health and environmental and further impact is anticipated as pump prime projects achieve research and industrial funding as planned. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2017 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Education,Environment,Healthcare,Government, Democracy and Justice,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
| Description | Defra Antimicrobial Resistance Coordination group visit (5) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | The findings from this research have been used to feed directly into government policy through being invited to DARC (DARC- government AMR advisory group) meetings to discuss the impact of cattle farming on environmental AMR. BH has published in the related area of AMU (goo.gl/NMvYMV), particularly focusing on the effect of antibiotic footbath effects on AMU, and has now commenced a PhD further researching this field, focusing on calf health to reduce AMU and AMR. |
| URL | http://goo.gl/NMvYMV |
| Description | Improving surgical site infection prevention practices |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Part of the project has already been incorporated by the trust into the Chief Nurse Fellows improvement project programme and will be disseminated widely throughout the Trust. Changes made to teaching nursing best practice. No statistics as yet. |
| Description | 'Modelling Antimicrobial Resistance', Wellcome Biomedical Vacation Scholarships (successful). |
| Amount | £2,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2017 |
| End | 09/2017 |
| Description | Agri-Tech Catalyst Innovate |
| Amount | £112,180 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 132164 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2016 |
| End | 10/2017 |
| Description | BBSRC Industrial iCASE PhD Studentship |
| Amount | £75,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2017 |
| End | 09/2020 |
| Description | Innovate UK grant |
| Amount | £383,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2018 |
| End | 03/2020 |
| Description | Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships MASS: Modelling and Analytics for a Sustainable Society |
| Amount | £64,176 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2016 |
| End | 09/2020 |
| Description | MRC international application to attend the UK-China Newton AMR meet |
| Amount | £3,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2017 |
| End | 11/2017 |
| Description | NIHR ICA Clinical Lectureship |
| Amount | £641,493 (GBP) |
| Organisation | NIHR/HEFCE Higher Education Fund for England |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2019 |
| End | 12/2022 |
| Description | W Garfield Weston - Co-I - A multicentre, double-blind randomised trial comparing lyophilised faecal filtrate to lyophilised donor stool in the treatment of recurrent C. difficile infection |
| Amount | $150,000 (USD) |
| Organisation | Garfield Weston Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2018 |
| End | 09/2019 |
| Description | Wellcome Trust DTP |
| Amount | £4,200 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2017 |
| End | 02/2018 |
| Title | Antimicrobial peptides HD9 - 3 |
| Description | Small peptides developed in this project have shown potent microbicidal activity against MRSA, MSSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE). Patent to follow. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Use in ongoing project, further details to remain undeclared prior to patent. |
| Title | Assessment of a polymer-based nanoparticulate system to enhance drug delivery of lactoferrin to prevent C. difficile infection |
| Description | Novel lactoferrin loaded alginate microgels have been fabricated using an emulsification/internal gelation method by Dr Shwana Braim, School of Pharmacy. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The proof of concept study aimed to apply existing methods to conjugate bovine lactoferrin with synthetic polymers to make it more stable and increase the amount of time it can circulate in the human body without being degraded. Different types of lactoferrin-polymer formulations are being tested and validated in batch cultures and the most appropriate formulation chosen for future testing. This will allow researchers to control and target the delivery of this therapeutic protein for the potential future treatment of C. difficile. We are now working beyond the original proof of concept with the Hannan Stem cell lab at CBS to evaluate antimicrobial, cytoprotective and the anti-inflammatory potential of novel lactoferrin microgels in 3D human intestinal organoids modelling C. difficile infection and Crohn's disease. |
| URL | http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/groups/bridging/impact/drug-delivery-to-prevent-c.-difficile.as... |
| Title | Bacteriophages driving evolution towards loss of drug resistance |
| Description | Protocols for use of phage with AMR strains |
| Type Of Material | Model of mechanisms or symptoms - in vitro |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Researchers are exploring the kinetics of plasmid loss from laboratory and field AMR E. coli and Salmonella strains and isolating and characterising specific bacteriophages for possible use. |
| Title | Desktop Viral Diagnostic |
| Description | Developed Gold-Aptamer Nano Constructs capable of detecting viral nucleic acid to high analytical and temporal sensitivity. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Improved sensitivity of testing allowing for fast accurate testing for viral markers with non-invasive swab during a GP consultation using new imaging techniques - preliminary data used to support fellowship application (awaiting result) |
| URL | http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/groups/bridging/impact/desktop-viral-diagnostic.aspx |
| Title | Development of Dual Anti- Adhesive/Antimicrobial Medical Devices |
| Description | Anti-attachment and antibiotic technologies successfully combined. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | In use within research team. Long term commercialisation may occur if the coating material research continues to progress well. |
| Title | Investigating Manufacture of Porous Glass Microspheres from Recycled Glass Waste Materials for Water Treatment (23) |
| Description | Methods have investigated synthesis of high melt temperature materials (i.e. silicates) for manufacture into porous microspheres, to remove micropollutants rom wastewater streams |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Developments in business (confidential) |
| Title | Multi Layered and Blended Deposition of Sacrificial Thin-Film Coatings of Phosphate Based Glasses For Preventing Biofilm Formation |
| Description | Antimicrobial provisional thin coating of PBG utilising the potential of Ga3+ as an antimicrobial agent |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | In use by research team to deepen understanding of glass structures, biofilm formation and potential use in implants, |
| Title | New materials (6) |
| Description | New materials for oral drug delivery were developed in this project and these are being adapted for other EPSRC-funded projects, notably in the Next Generation Biomaterials Discovery EPSRC Programme Grant. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Within the university used to explore new oral drug delivery methods |
| Title | Protein HD5 - 16 |
| Description | The production of recombinant human defensin-5 (HD-5) protein (both in mature and precursor forms) for use in antimicrobial screening tests and as an analytical standard to allow quantification of endogenous material from patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Ongoing research use at University of Nottingham |
| Title | Super-porous microspheres for enhancing rapid immuno-diagnosis of bacterial infection |
| Description | Use of novel high surface area super-porous microspheres as part of a system to enhance the detection of early antibody responses to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Developing a prototype lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) POCT device as "proof of principle" using methods, this has not yet had impact on end users. |
| Title | Antibiotic and metal ion resistance genes in E. coli isolated from a wastewater treatment plant |
| Description | Collection of wastewater and stream water and exploration of resistant strains. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | To be used in further funding applications. |
| Title | Geospatial modelling |
| Description | Used GIS software to plot AMR data into a map of the Sutton Bonington area and include relevant geospatial layers. Statistical analysis on the spatial AMR data. |
| Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
| Year Produced | 2016 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | None as yet (to be used to inform further research applications) |
| Title | Improving surgical site infection prevention practices to reduce antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance |
| Description | Conducted exploratory interviews with 20 NHS staff to uncover issues which influence compliance with warming guidelines and attitudes towards surgical site infection prevention. Participants included all staff involved in the patient warming journey (e.g., surgical nurses, operating room staff, anaesthetists and surgeons). Data from the process map and interviews will be used to develop a whole systems patient warming implementation toolkit to prevent hypothermia and prevent SSI. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Beginning to impact on nurse training and NHS policy changes to follow. |
| Title | Mapping UK investments in antimicrobial resistance research in animals to advance the scientific understanding of AMR policy UG project |
| Description | The project utilized a hierarchical approach, efficient data mining methodologies including data acquisition, data extraction and mathematical data analysis. We established algorithms to identify trends and gaps and to reconstruct relationships between funded research and 'hotspots' geographical areas that seem to be more funded than others in the UK. This work leads to the establishment of the first dataset of funded research projects awarded to UK institutes from 1994-2016 relating to AMR research as well as all other research areas in veterinary medicine in the UK. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2016 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | See also student placement entry. Collaborators in Surrey have worked with us to map major research funders with the intention of applying for further grant funds. |
| Title | Sheep DirtyGenes Totemeyer |
| Description | DirtyGenes software available as R code on FigShare associated with https://www.biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/10/16/204321 2018 Contributed to BBSCR Response mode application 'The role of livestock in the transmission of AMR between Environments' |
| Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This method has broad uses for statistical testing and experimental design in experiments on changing microbiomes, including for studies on antimicrobial resistance. |
| URL | https://www.biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/10/16/204321 |
| Title | Should we worry about slurry |
| Description | New dataset with farm practices, heavy metal concentrations and AMR presence for 15 farms across GB. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | N/A at this stage - taking to conference this year |
| Title | Sleeping with the (AMR) enemy |
| Description | Tracking resistance levels in fresh slurry, and post process dry and liquid fractions. Examining the effect of storage of dry fraction, which will either have the potential to end up in the environment, or could be used on some farms as recycled manure solid bedding. Examining antibiotics/metals, and their levels, present within the manure. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | None as yet, further developments to follow. |
| Title | Summer studentship Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and its environmental drivers: a pilot study in wildlife |
| Description | Testing of resistant strains within faeces from wild small mammals and birds across three sites, each around 0.5km apart. Site 1 was a small woodland neighbouring a dairy farm, site 2 was an arboretum and arable field edge, and site 3 a sewage treatment plant (STP) and its outflow. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Papers and grant applications to be produced. |
| Title | The role of sheep in the transmission of AMR between farms and between environments |
| Description | Metagenomic data sets, identification of antimicrobial resistance genes in bacterial populations. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | N/A at this early stage in the research. |
| Description | AMR PVD surfaces 18 |
| Organisation | Dexo Technologies Limited |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Contribution of antimicrobial glass PVD techniques through proof of concept research. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Contributed to Innovate application and discussions around commercialisation of product (still early stage) |
| Impact | Innovate grant, proof of concept, papers to follow. Multidisciplinary - Engineering, Medicine, Advanced materials. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | AMR PVD surfaces 18 |
| Organisation | John Desmond Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Contribution of antimicrobial glass PVD techniques through proof of concept research. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Contributed to Innovate application and discussions around commercialisation of product (still early stage) |
| Impact | Innovate grant, proof of concept, papers to follow. Multidisciplinary - Engineering, Medicine, Advanced materials. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | AMR in the environment |
| Organisation | University of Groningen |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Visiting scholars (see events entries) and ongoing collaborations on projects such as "geospatial modelling the spread of AMR in the environment". |
| Collaborator Contribution | Sharing of unpublished results, collaboration on Nottingham projects and joint grant applications being composed to external funders. |
| Impact | Multidisciplinary - Mathematics, Biosciences, Vet Sci, Environmental microbiology. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | AMR in the environment |
| Organisation | University of KwaZulu-Natal |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Visiting scholars (see events entries) and ongoing collaborations on projects such as "geospatial modelling the spread of AMR in the environment". |
| Collaborator Contribution | Sharing of unpublished results, collaboration on Nottingham projects and joint grant applications being composed to external funders. |
| Impact | Multidisciplinary - Mathematics, Biosciences, Vet Sci, Environmental microbiology. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Assessment of a polymer-based nanoparticulate system to enhance drug delivery of lactoferrin to prevent C. difficile infection |
| Organisation | Jagiellonian University |
| Country | Poland |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Partners at Jagiellonian University have helped produce iron and manganese saturated lactoferrin solutions for use in the project. As part of our microgel studies, we are also investigating the significance of biometal concentrations (iron, zinc, copper and magnesium) in sera from patients with C. difficile infection in an attempt to stratify patients with mild and severe infection. These studies are in collaboration with Prof Marcin Frankowski, Adam Mickiewicz, University of Poznan, Poland. We are working with investigators at Nottingham Trent University where we will under miRNA studies in the organoids pre and post exposure to C. difficile bacteria, purified toxins and the lactoferrin microgels. These studies are in collaboration with Dr Christos Polytarchou. |
| Collaborator Contribution | See above |
| Impact | See above. Multidisciplinary, Medicine, Pharmacy, Life Sciences and Chemistry |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Assessment of a polymer-based nanoparticulate system to enhance drug delivery of lactoferrin to prevent C. difficile infection |
| Organisation | Nottingham Trent University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Partners at Jagiellonian University have helped produce iron and manganese saturated lactoferrin solutions for use in the project. As part of our microgel studies, we are also investigating the significance of biometal concentrations (iron, zinc, copper and magnesium) in sera from patients with C. difficile infection in an attempt to stratify patients with mild and severe infection. These studies are in collaboration with Prof Marcin Frankowski, Adam Mickiewicz, University of Poznan, Poland. We are working with investigators at Nottingham Trent University where we will under miRNA studies in the organoids pre and post exposure to C. difficile bacteria, purified toxins and the lactoferrin microgels. These studies are in collaboration with Dr Christos Polytarchou. |
| Collaborator Contribution | See above |
| Impact | See above. Multidisciplinary, Medicine, Pharmacy, Life Sciences and Chemistry |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Assessment of a polymer-based nanoparticulate system to enhance drug delivery of lactoferrin to prevent C. difficile infection |
| Organisation | Poznan University of Medical Sciences |
| Country | Poland |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Partners at Jagiellonian University have helped produce iron and manganese saturated lactoferrin solutions for use in the project. As part of our microgel studies, we are also investigating the significance of biometal concentrations (iron, zinc, copper and magnesium) in sera from patients with C. difficile infection in an attempt to stratify patients with mild and severe infection. These studies are in collaboration with Prof Marcin Frankowski, Adam Mickiewicz, University of Poznan, Poland. We are working with investigators at Nottingham Trent University where we will under miRNA studies in the organoids pre and post exposure to C. difficile bacteria, purified toxins and the lactoferrin microgels. These studies are in collaboration with Dr Christos Polytarchou. |
| Collaborator Contribution | See above |
| Impact | See above. Multidisciplinary, Medicine, Pharmacy, Life Sciences and Chemistry |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Bacteriophages driving evolution towards loss of drug resistance |
| Organisation | Sao Paulo State University |
| Country | Brazil |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaborative research and creation of manuscript under review |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative research and creation of manuscript under review |
| Impact | Collaborative research and creation of manuscript under review |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Collaborators on Research paper (18) |
| Organisation | Government of Romania |
| Department | Military Medical Service |
| Country | Romania |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration on a paper |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration on a paper |
| Impact | Paper (see publications) |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Collaborators on Research paper (18) |
| Organisation | National Institute of Materials Physics Magurele-Bucharest |
| Country | Romania |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration on a paper |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration on a paper |
| Impact | Paper (see publications) |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Desktop Viral Diagnostic |
| Organisation | Surescreen Diagnostics Limited |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Established strong and strengthening links with two local SMEs TBG Solutions and Sure Screen Diagnostics in development of novel point-of-care diagnosis tool. Research team are contributing creation of highly sensitive Gold-Aptamer Nano Constructs, allowing for a step change in what is possible in a GP consultation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Industry are contributing expertise in engineering the product and the available market. |
| Impact | Development of idea from concept to technology readiness level 4. Now looking for further funding to test in clinical settings and develop a working prototype. Multidisciplinary including Pharmacy, Life Sciences and Engineering. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Desktop Viral Diagnostic |
| Organisation | TBG Solutions |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Established strong and strengthening links with two local SMEs TBG Solutions and Sure Screen Diagnostics in development of novel point-of-care diagnosis tool. Research team are contributing creation of highly sensitive Gold-Aptamer Nano Constructs, allowing for a step change in what is possible in a GP consultation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Industry are contributing expertise in engineering the product and the available market. |
| Impact | Development of idea from concept to technology readiness level 4. Now looking for further funding to test in clinical settings and develop a working prototype. Multidisciplinary including Pharmacy, Life Sciences and Engineering. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Innovate grant partners 19 |
| Organisation | Farmwizard |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Participation in Innovate UK grant |
| Collaborator Contribution | Participation in Innovate UK grant |
| Impact | Development of software - cross bioscience/informatics/vet medicine/industry. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Innovate grant partners 19 |
| Organisation | Intel Corporation |
| Department | Intel Corporation (UK) Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Participation in Innovate UK grant |
| Collaborator Contribution | Participation in Innovate UK grant |
| Impact | Development of software - cross bioscience/informatics/vet medicine/industry. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Jagiellonian University Poland - ongoing research partnership (6) |
| Organisation | Jagiellonian University |
| Country | Poland |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Ongoing research partnership and co-authors on a paper (see publications) |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative research |
| Impact | Co-authors on a paper (see publications) |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Mapping UK investments in antimicrobial resistance research in animals to advance the scientific understanding of AMR policy |
| Organisation | University of Southampton |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Multidisciplinary supervisory team of experts in infectious diseases, algorithms designing, clustering analysis, and data mining to tackle the challenge of AMR from a completely new angle via mining databases of UK funders looking for trends and gaps in AMR research. |
| Collaborator Contribution | As above. |
| Impact | See placement and data set sections. Collaborators from Physics, Veterinary Medicine and Science and Medicine. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Mapping UK investments in antimicrobial resistance research in animals to advance the scientific understanding of AMR policy |
| Organisation | University of Surrey |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Multidisciplinary supervisory team of experts in infectious diseases, algorithms designing, clustering analysis, and data mining to tackle the challenge of AMR from a completely new angle via mining databases of UK funders looking for trends and gaps in AMR research. |
| Collaborator Contribution | As above. |
| Impact | See placement and data set sections. Collaborators from Physics, Veterinary Medicine and Science and Medicine. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Severn Trent Water Undergraduate projects |
| Organisation | Severn Trent Water |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Researchers sourced undergraduate students willing and able to work on STW projects during summer 2016 and provided lab space and support. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Contribution of research idea, consumables and student payment. |
| Impact | See 'secondments section'. Multidisciplinary - engineering, vet science, biosciences. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Slurry and bedding projects feed in to EVAL Farms |
| Organisation | Animal and Plant Health Agency |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Expertise, data and research outcomes feed in to EVAL farms meetings |
| Collaborator Contribution | Strategic questions, guidance and data access |
| Impact | Change to policy - see Influence |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Slurry and bedding projects feed in to EVAL Farms |
| Organisation | Food Standards Agency (FSA) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Expertise, data and research outcomes feed in to EVAL farms meetings |
| Collaborator Contribution | Strategic questions, guidance and data access |
| Impact | Change to policy - see Influence |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Slurry and bedding projects feed in to EVAL Farms |
| Organisation | James Hutton Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Expertise, data and research outcomes feed in to EVAL farms meetings |
| Collaborator Contribution | Strategic questions, guidance and data access |
| Impact | Change to policy - see Influence |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Slurry and bedding projects feed in to EVAL Farms |
| Organisation | Lindhurst Engineering Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Expertise, data and research outcomes feed in to EVAL farms meetings |
| Collaborator Contribution | Strategic questions, guidance and data access |
| Impact | Change to policy - see Influence |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Slurry and bedding projects feed in to EVAL Farms |
| Organisation | National Farmers Union |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Expertise, data and research outcomes feed in to EVAL farms meetings |
| Collaborator Contribution | Strategic questions, guidance and data access |
| Impact | Change to policy - see Influence |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Slurry and bedding projects feed in to EVAL Farms |
| Organisation | Severn Trent Water |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Expertise, data and research outcomes feed in to EVAL farms meetings |
| Collaborator Contribution | Strategic questions, guidance and data access |
| Impact | Change to policy - see Influence |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Slurry and bedding projects feed in to EVAL Farms |
| Organisation | The Veterinary Medicines Directorate |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | Expertise, data and research outcomes feed in to EVAL farms meetings |
| Collaborator Contribution | Strategic questions, guidance and data access |
| Impact | Change to policy - see Influence |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Slurry and bedding projects feed in to EVAL Farms |
| Organisation | Velcourt Ltd |
| Department | Velcourt R&D |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Expertise, data and research outcomes feed in to EVAL farms meetings |
| Collaborator Contribution | Strategic questions, guidance and data access |
| Impact | Change to policy - see Influence |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Trent Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre - joint Masters programme in Quality and Patient Safety. |
| Organisation | Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This new postgraduate programme has been co-designed by academic and clinical experts and aims to promote the application of scientific principles and theory in day to day practise. Creation and running of course for those planning or developing their career in the health and social care sector (public, private and voluntary) including clinical staff, professional managers and commissioners but is also suitable for those interested in education and teaching in this field and associated research, innovation and scholarship. Advertising course |
| Collaborator Contribution | See above |
| Impact | School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham Centre for Health Innovation, Leadership and Learning (CHILL, Nottingham University Business School) Human Factors Research Group (HFRG), Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham Trent Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Title | Bovine mastitis - 19 |
| Description | Software diagnostic tool, that based on MALDI-TOF MS data, recognises the presence of specific S. aureus strains (penicillin resistant vs. non-resistant strains), and suggests the most appropriate treatment. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Impact | Innovate UK grant funded 2018-2020 to use software. No impact as yet. |
| Title | Low cost protein spraying equipment |
| Description | Low-cost protein spraying equipment for lateral flow immunoassay production |
| Type Of Technology | Physical Model/Kit |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Impact | Currently in use to explore use of porous microspheres in targeting antibiotics |
| Title | PDMS coating 17 |
| Description | New method to coat PDMS loaded with antimicrobials in a manner in which the antimicrobials can still be delivered |
| Type Of Technology | New/Improved Technique/Technology |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Impact | None as yet excepting use in pump prime. Commercial uses will be explored in 2018. |
| Title | Smart sensor for UTIs - 13 |
| Description | A tabletop SPR instrument for monitoring of bacterial binding to treated surfaces and bacteriophage. |
| Type Of Technology | Systems, Materials & Instrumental Engineering |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Impact | Research only use at present, used to monitor abx action and biofilm assembly in real time. |
| Description | AMR Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Aimed to bring together people from a variety of sectors working in AMR to inform about the research at the university, create new cross-disciplinary relationships and develop ways of working together for the interests of everyone involved. There were eight external speakers representing the NHS, The Global AMR Innovation Fund, Animal Health and Welfare Board for England, Public Health England, the University of Warwick, the University of Exeter, and the Food Standards Agency, and a Member of Parliament. Internal speakers included the Principal Investigator, the PVC for Research and Knowledge Exchange, an Emeritus Professor of Microbiology and 17 researchers representing their Bridging the Gaps pump prime funded work. There were also networking activities and flash presentations. 90% of attendees who completed the follow up survey noted that they had made new contacts as a result of the event, including essential links between researchers and representatives of groups such as AHWBE and PHE. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | AMR Early Careers Network in Science and Technology Studies |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The AMR Early Careers Network in Science and Technology Studies, which runs (non-BtG funded) workshops and events, was formed from Medicine and Sociology researchers meeting at a BtG event. Workshop event organised summer 2016 aimed at early career researchers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |
| Description | AMR club |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | AMR club is an informal lunch session organised roughly once a month. Aimed at mostly PhD and postdoc students, but open to all researchers, the group is an opportunity to share what people are currently working on, techniques that they are using, new developments in the field and suggest solutions to problems when appropriate. The club started out specifically aimed toward mathematical modellers but widened as interest grew. Informal feedback from the club has been positive, PhD students and postdoctoral researchers have expressed enjoyment at being able to form a community of early career researchers, especially as the area of AMR can be diverse and divided by distance. The group is a useful way to draw early career researchers in to participating in other events - for example the winning sandpit idea from the environment sandpit was an idea originally raised at AMR club and the PhD student was encouraged to attend the sandpit event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |
| Description | Antibiotic awareness week outreach |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Outreach activities organised as part of antibiotic awareness week with a variety of games and information provided at a stall at Sutton Bonington. Largely aimed at students in Biosciences and Vet Science and Medicine. Swab and send and design a cuddly microbe activities also advertised via twitter and other social media accounts. Future events are planned at primary schools, open days and public festivals. Audiences at the antibiotic awareness week were taught about importance of antimicrobial resistance, which is especially important to direct future scientists in to this area and to ensure that students who go on to roles as vets, food scientists, etc are aware of the importance and risks of AMR in their work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Bridging the Gaps website and twitter |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Bridging the Gaps website and twitter created (in parallel with intranet site [workspace]). Site and twitter account were used to promote events, increase networking between researchers, connect with industry, promote funding calls and show impact. Bridging the Gaps saw an increase in the number of queries from other UK universities interested in networking with the University of Nottingham and received several approaches from industry from the site. The site also provided a clear explanation of Bridging the Gaps' work to industrial partners, allowed the general public/media to search for the programme, and enableed internal researchers to easily access funding information. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016 |
| URL | http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/groups/bridging/index.aspx |
| Description | Challenge day General Practitioner |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Approximately 15 researchers attended for presentations from Simon Royal (current practicing GP), Richard Puleston (consultant, Public Health England) and Richard Knox (clinical associate, internal) followed by discussion and brainstorming research proposals. The event was intended to result in closer connections between EPS researchers and clinicians and help to direct research towards this area e.g. POC tests. Feedback following the event was positive and one (unsuccessful) application was received for event-associated funding. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Challenge day Infection Control |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Seven researchers attended to discuss infection control with two speakers - Martin Kiernan (infection prevention society) and Natalie Vaughan (NHS) with the intention of directing research towards interventions bedded in the practicalities and necessities of the NHS. The event did not result in funding applications but the relationships with the speakers has proven ongoing and they are now being invited to support other related pump prime activities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Challenge day Pig and Poultry Farming |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presentations were given by Paul McMullin (Poultry Health Services), Lucy Coyne (AHDB Pork team) and Mike Clark (Minister Vets) to a group of researchers with the intention of educating and encouraging research focusing on the specific area of antimicrobial resistance in farming. This resulted in open discussion and creation of research proposals with novel cross-disciplinary teams. Two applications were submitted for pump prime event-associated funding, there was one winner of the <10k. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Challenge day Severn Trent Water |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | 25 researchers and five Severn Trent Water (STW) representatives attended the first Challenge day on 8th Jan. A presentation on the challenges in the water industry was given by STW, then the researchers intensively brain-stormed ideas and began to create research proposals to explore the challenges. The event resulted in new, novel, and cross-disciplinary research ideas and several researchers plan to submit applications for Bridging the Gaps pump prime funding awards to progress these ideas. STW reported many short and long term changes they might make as a direct result of the event and this progressed to a deeper relationship including reciprocal site visits and financial contributions to research in 2016-17. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Contributions to news articles |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Interest from media organisations and articles published, resulting in greater interest from general public and researchers across AMR areas, not just funded researchers but all AMR at the institution: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/20/antibiotics-apocalypse-research-resistance-threat-breakthrough, https://phys.org/news/2017-10-predatory-bacteria-portholes-frescoes.html, https://today.mims.com/the-antibiotic-consensus-accepting-and-responding-to-uncertainty-in-healthcare, https://bioengineer.org/novel-tool-for-vets-and-farmers-to-monitor-and-reduce-antibiotics-on/, https://today.mims.com/the-antibiotic-consensus-accepting-and-responding-to-uncertainty-in-healthcare, Richard James Sky news 23 Oct 2017 interview, |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Desktop Viral Diagnostic - TBG Solutions and SureScreen Diagnostics meetings |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | This Bridging the Gaps funding has bought together two local SMEs, TBG Solutions and SureScreen Diagnostics, to develop diagnostic devices to for viral biomarkers in order to establish new approaches to solving to the global grand challenge of antimicrobial resistance. The project partners have advanced their ideas from Technology Readiness Level 1, where the principles of the viral diagnostic have been observed and reported to Technology Readiness Level 4 where the diagnostic to viral nucleic acid has been validated in a laboratory environment. This progression has made the technology amenable to national funding in order to advance the project beyond the Bridging the Gaps funding by testing the diagnostic in clinical setting and the development of a working prototype. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |
| Description | Digestive Diseases Week (DDW) Washington DC and press (6) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Co-authored article abstract selected for inclusion in the press program for this year's Digestive Diseases Week (DDW) Washington DC. The work has also featured in an article in the New York Times and New York Daily News: https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/well/live/fecal-transplant-stool-donor.html https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-06/ddw-moa060418.php http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/ny-fea-poop-donations-altruism-20180604-story.html |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/well/live/fecal-transplant-stool-donor.html |
| Description | External Company (project 22, cannot be detailed) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Engagement with company - Face to face meetings held plus additional phone calls held throughout 2018 Also engaged with Changing Markets charity (original contact made at BtG conference) regarding related policy and campaigning developments but no further progress at this stage |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Industry networking meetings |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Nine industry networking events/meetings organised to share information about ongoing research and help to bridge gaps between industry need and current research at the institution. Included visits to industry in addition to hosting contacts at the university. Increased interest in industry approaches after these events, including industry providing funding for proof of concept projects and proposing new avenues for future work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | July 2017 STEM workshops |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | STEM workshops at schools - Charnwood College Loughborough, Limehurst Academy Loughborough, Woodbrook Vale Loughborough, John Ferneley College Melton Mowbray - - 'Hunt for new antibiotic producers' & interactive games => 40 swabs |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | June 2017 Wonder outreach |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 'Wonder' - public event - information stalls & interactive games integrated into 'World of Dogs'. Project 6 on lactoferrin also represented at the same event and at open days. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Launch event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The launch event occurred on the 17th November 2015 and was attended by around 100 individuals from 16 Schools across The University of Nottingham (UoN). Speakers included Nancy Mendoza (Society for Applied Microbiology), Professor Paul Williams (Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, UoN), Professor Liz Sockett (Medicine & Health Sciences, UoN) and Dr Dov Stekel (Biosciences, UoN). The event also included a networking event and two minute presentations given by attendees on their research areas. Attendees reported an increase in their awareness of funding opportunities and an increased interest in collaborating on AMR research. Around 35 attendees registered for future updates from Bridging the Gaps. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Launch event press release |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | The Launch event for the project was advertised in a press release on The University of Nottingham's website. This promoted the event to internal audiences (evidenced by the increase in registered attendees) and more widely to any person searching for the University of Nottingham and antimicrobial resistance, or searching for the Bridging the Gaps programme. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/newsroom/2015/11/16/antimicrobial-resistance-the-search-for-new-collab... |
| Description | Lord O'Neill lecture and panel discussion |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Event organised by the Graduate School, with panel members heavily involved in BtG. Audience of alumni, industry contacts and the general public. Increased interest in AMR at the university as a result of the lecture, including challenging panel questions and many new connections made between university researchers, the Discipline Bridging Officer, industry and policy makers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Loughborough networking |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Meeting of nine researchers intended to look at potential collaborations between Nottingham and the University of Loughborough. The meeting mostly involved sharing of expertise but there have been no outcomes as yet. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | MOOC on AMR in the Food Chain |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Bridging the Gaps contributed directly to the content of the MOOC by networking researchers and industrial contacts. Their research interests and questions were later integrated into the course materials, especially those research questions emerging from the Severn Trent Water Challenge day. The course was nominated for the Learning on Screen awards 2017. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/antimicrobial-resistance-food-chain |
| Description | March 2017 School visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | School visit Sutton Bonington Primary school (3x 30 pupils, reception, Y1 & Y2) - 'Hunt for new antibiotic producers' & interactive games => 25 swabs Offer Holder Day ( ~120 offer holders & parents) - information stalls, interactive games & quiz |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |
| Description | May 2017 Public festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | SB Fest - public event - 'Hunt for new antibiotic producers' information stalls, interactive games, quiz, perception of antibiotic use and AMR survey =>300 swabs handed out and 131 swabs returned |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | National Institute of Materials Physics (Romania) (18) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Stuart visited National Institute of Materials Physics (Romania) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Networking events - Speed and STW |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 32 researchers (excluding the Launch event) have so far attended networking events to meet colleagues from different disciplines. This includes a speed networking session 26th November 2015 and a networking event at the Severn Trent Water Challenge Day. Researchers have reported a greater awareness of research into AMR and an increase in the number of novel connections they have made. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016 |
| Description | Nottingham in Parliament |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Visit organised as part of Nottingham in Parliament Day. Researchers visited two MPs and met also with Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) representatives. Discussions resulted in changing views of MPs with actions being taken including asking the Secretary for Health to keep AMR a high priority and a possible invite to speak at an all-parliamentary working group, plus increased interest in visits to Nottingham. Conversations with VMD resulted in exchange of policy-relevant information and increased awareness of what the university may have to offer on the national level, e.g. possible use of parasitic bacteria in animal treatment in the very long term. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Nov 2016 AMR Awareness Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | SB campus: 'Hunt for new antibiotic producers' information stalls, interactive games, quiz, Competition: 'Design cuddly Veterinary Microbe' Cardiff Sixth Form College - 'Hunt for new antibiotic producers' => 200 swabs handed out and 130 swabs returned, increased engagement observed via social media |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Nov 2017 Abx Awareness Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Series of short lunchtime talks by academic staff involved in AMR research and a fun AMR 'Treasure Hunt', see urls https://www.vettimes.co.uk/news/superbug-fighting-microbes-revealed-at-amr-awareness-day/ http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/pressreleases/2017/november/students-reveal-superbug-fighting-microbes-at-amr-awareness-day.aspx plus identifying 18 potential new antimicrobial producers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016,2017 |
| URL | https://www.vettimes.co.uk/news/superbug-fighting-microbes-revealed-at-amr-awareness-day/ |
| Description | RMS bedding British cattle veterinary association annual congress |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Preliminary research presented at the British cattle veterinary association annual congress. Raised interest in the project amongst relevant professionals. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Roberto Rusconi seminar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Seminar given to an audience of undergraduates, postgraduates, research fellows and other researchers, well received and new contacts created as a result. Unpublished data was also shared with researchers, allowing them access to cutting edge data and new research directions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Sandpit event Environment |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The event was intended to encourage specific pump prime activity around AMR in the environment and attracted a group of 20 attendees from a variety of mostly EPS areas. Many new networks were formed that included speakers Katherine Grace (DEFRA) and Jason Snape (AstraZeneca). Researchers enjoyed the format and were keen to attend future events; both oral and written feedback was positive. The event resulted in one £20k prize winner and two further projects presented here went on to successfully obtain pump prime funding during a later funding call. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Sandpit event NHS |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | On the first Sandpit (20-22nd Jan) 20 researchers were joined by representatives from NHS surgical infection and clinical microbiology staff and from a company which creates disposable curtains for the NHS. Researchers received presentations on current issues in AMR and then networked to form multi-disciplinary teams to create project proposals. On the final day researchers presented their proposals and all of those present at the event voted for the winning team to receive up to £20,000 in pump prime funding. The event created many novel interactions and new research ideas (as reported in researcher feedback) and increased connections between NHS staff and researchers, many of whom are planning future collaborations across institutional boundaries. Researchers expressed an interest in attending future events and in applying for further pump prime funding. The winning bid will be funded from mid-Feb. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Sandpit event data discovery |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | One day event joined by around 13 researchers plus Mat Diggle (Clinical Lead for Molecular Diagnostics for East Midlands Pathology) and Francesca Martelli (Animal and Plant Health Agency) for presentations, discussion and creation of novel proposals involving new cross-disciplinary teams. The event was followed by a short session the following week where attendees presented their proposal, a vote was taken and the highest rated proposal was successfully funded up to £20k. Researchers fed back that they had new contacts as a result of attending this event. Unsuccessful proposals from the event were rewritten and resubmitted at later funding calls. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Sept 2017 Usk Agricultural Show |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Usk Agricultural Show, Wales (9th September 2017), engaged with members of the public via interactive sessions |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Sept Open days |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | SVMS/University of Nottingham Open Days (15th & 16th September 2017). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |
| Description | Student expo |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The UG project students presented their posters alongside other students at an event in Mathematical Sciences. Researchers attended from across the institution and the event was also open to members of the general public. The UG students had the opportunity to showcase their research to people not engaged in the same area of research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Sutton Bonnington Fest18 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | SB Fest is an event hosted at the Sutton Bonnington campus for members of the general public. The event is a family-friendly day of live music, arts and crafts, science activities, locally produced food and beverages and lots more. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.facebook.com/events/1642315632512891/ |
| Description | Visitor Chirove Faraimunashe (University of KwaZulu-Natal) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Visit from three scholars (Bridging the Gaps funded only this one) with the intention of producing research plans for rapid response to future calls and disseminating information to, and making collaborative links with, seminar attendees. Seminars were organised as mini-symposia with 20 at the first and 12 at the second. Researchers began to formulate concrete proposals following on from this event and The University of Nottingham is also considering ways to engage with UKZN on an institutional level. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Visitor Joana Falcao-Salles |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Part of the visiting scholar seminar series, this visitor works on some novel AMR research of relevance to Vet Sci, Maths, Biosciences, Pharmacy, Food sci, Engineering and Geography. The visit was intended to explore research opportunities and to disseminate information via two seminars at two different university campuses. Attendance was 20 per seminar. There was an increase in researchers engaging in collaborative work with one another and with the visitor following on from this event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Workshops Drug discovery/novel materials |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A one day event with two workshops, attendees were able to attend either one or both, with the majority staying for the full day. Around 15 researchers were joined by a visiting scholar from the University of Bradford and industry representatives. The workshops involved presentations, flash presentations from attendees and brainstorming sessions. One prize up to £10k was available to a novel cross-disciplinary proposal resulting from each event. One application was received and, though unsuccessful, the new collaboration created at this event did go on to secure funding in a later pump prime call. Relationships were built with pharmaceutical company RedX. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |