Dynamics of Antimicrobial Resistance in the Urban Water Cycle in Europe
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Sch of Engineering
Abstract
Resistance of pathogenic bacteria to antibiotics and other antimicrobials is increasing everywhere on Earth. This is making progressively our current antibiotics useless, potentially placing patient's lives at risk as some can no longer be treated by available treatment options. Resistance is not only selected inside the human body when antibiotics are used to treat people, but also selected after the antibiotics from patients in hospitals or ill people at home are entering the sewage. Moreover, the resistance genes can transfer to other bacteria, where they can persist and eventually transfer back to pathogenic bacteria. This transfer also happens in the sewage.
We postulate that urban water systems, that is, sewers, sewage treatment plants and receiving waters, are central places of exchange of resistance genes between pathogenic bacteria and environmental bacteria because these systems continuously receive excreted antimicrobials, resistant bacteria and resistance genes from many sources. Further, the high numbers of bacteria in these systems increases the transfer of resistance genes between different bacteria. The mixing of different wastes (e.g., hospital and community sewage) increases the selection for bacteria carrying multiple resistance genes due to the simultaneous presence of various antibiotics, biocides, and heavy metals.
DARWIN (Dynamics of Antimicrobial Resistance in the Urban Water Cycle in Europe) will be the first project to perform a cross-European examination of the fate of key resistant bacteria and resistance genes in UWSs resulting from discharged hospital and community wastes, including mechanisms of resistance gene transfer in different stages of sewer catchments and receiving waters. We will focus on the spread of resistance genes that are amongst the most problematic now because they confer resistance to the latest generation of antibiotics available (genes for extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemases). Specifically, we will investigate these resistance classes in three countries that differ in their use of antibiotics and sewage management practices: Denmark, Spain and the UK. We postulate that resistance genes readily transmit in urban water systems from pathogenic and non-pathogenic "gut" bacteria in human wastes (after antibiotic use) to environmental bacteria better adapted to the sewer environment. The environmental bacteria then carry the resistance genes across the wider environment, increasing community exposure.
Hence, we will, for the first time, determine which specific bacteria carry the resistance genes across the urban water systems and identify where resistance gene transfer events occur. Our ultimate goal is to assess the relative risk of resistance genes returning back to humans due to environmental exposure. To guide risk assessments, a predictive dynamic mathematical model for the urban water systems will be developed to assist in health and sewage management decisions.
We postulate that urban water systems, that is, sewers, sewage treatment plants and receiving waters, are central places of exchange of resistance genes between pathogenic bacteria and environmental bacteria because these systems continuously receive excreted antimicrobials, resistant bacteria and resistance genes from many sources. Further, the high numbers of bacteria in these systems increases the transfer of resistance genes between different bacteria. The mixing of different wastes (e.g., hospital and community sewage) increases the selection for bacteria carrying multiple resistance genes due to the simultaneous presence of various antibiotics, biocides, and heavy metals.
DARWIN (Dynamics of Antimicrobial Resistance in the Urban Water Cycle in Europe) will be the first project to perform a cross-European examination of the fate of key resistant bacteria and resistance genes in UWSs resulting from discharged hospital and community wastes, including mechanisms of resistance gene transfer in different stages of sewer catchments and receiving waters. We will focus on the spread of resistance genes that are amongst the most problematic now because they confer resistance to the latest generation of antibiotics available (genes for extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemases). Specifically, we will investigate these resistance classes in three countries that differ in their use of antibiotics and sewage management practices: Denmark, Spain and the UK. We postulate that resistance genes readily transmit in urban water systems from pathogenic and non-pathogenic "gut" bacteria in human wastes (after antibiotic use) to environmental bacteria better adapted to the sewer environment. The environmental bacteria then carry the resistance genes across the wider environment, increasing community exposure.
Hence, we will, for the first time, determine which specific bacteria carry the resistance genes across the urban water systems and identify where resistance gene transfer events occur. Our ultimate goal is to assess the relative risk of resistance genes returning back to humans due to environmental exposure. To guide risk assessments, a predictive dynamic mathematical model for the urban water systems will be developed to assist in health and sewage management decisions.
Technical Summary
While therapeutic antibiotic use directly impacts the evolution of AntiMicrobial Resistance (AMR), it has become increasingly clear that the environmental dimension of AMR is also of great importance. We postulate that urban water systems (UWS), which are our receptacle for excreted antimicrobials, AMR organisms and AMR genes, are central conduits of AMR to and from pathogens and environmental strains. This is because of high microbial densities and the co-mingling of different wastes, which promotes accelerated AMR gene transfer (HGT) and multi-resistance due to the co-occurrence of antibiotics, biocides, metals and microbes.
In DARWIN, we will undertake a never-previously-performed pan-European examination of the fate of key AMR organisms and genetic determinants in UWSs resulting from discharged hospital and community wastes, including transmission mechanisms in different stages of sewer catchments and receiving waters. We focus on the spread of AMR genes encoding clinically relevant extended spectrum b-lactam (ESBL) and carbapenem resistance in three countries with differing AMR profiles and sewage management practices. We posit that AMR genes readily transmit in UWSs from pathogens and commensal hosts in human wastes (after antibiotic use) to environmental strains better adapted to migrate through the sewer environment, which is driven by local ecologies, conjugal plasmid transfer and phage-mediated transduction.
Hence, we will, for the first time, determine specific bacterial hosts that carry AMR genes across UWSs, and identify where key HGT events occur with the ultimate goal of assessing the relative risk of AMR genes returning back to humans due to environmental exposure to AMR in urban environments. To guide risk assessments, a predictive dynamic mathematical model for UWSs will be developed to assist in health and sewage management decisions.
In DARWIN, we will undertake a never-previously-performed pan-European examination of the fate of key AMR organisms and genetic determinants in UWSs resulting from discharged hospital and community wastes, including transmission mechanisms in different stages of sewer catchments and receiving waters. We focus on the spread of AMR genes encoding clinically relevant extended spectrum b-lactam (ESBL) and carbapenem resistance in three countries with differing AMR profiles and sewage management practices. We posit that AMR genes readily transmit in UWSs from pathogens and commensal hosts in human wastes (after antibiotic use) to environmental strains better adapted to migrate through the sewer environment, which is driven by local ecologies, conjugal plasmid transfer and phage-mediated transduction.
Hence, we will, for the first time, determine specific bacterial hosts that carry AMR genes across UWSs, and identify where key HGT events occur with the ultimate goal of assessing the relative risk of AMR genes returning back to humans due to environmental exposure to AMR in urban environments. To guide risk assessments, a predictive dynamic mathematical model for UWSs will be developed to assist in health and sewage management decisions.
Planned Impact
Our project combines diverse expertise and access to urban water systems in three different countries to quantify patterns, pathways and mechanisms that drive AMR dissemination in urban environments. Central to project impact will be active involvement of our three industrial partners (major water companies in the UK, Denmark and Spain); our international External Advisory Board (EAB); and our strong links with European-wide AMR surveillance networks. Through these partners and connections, DARWIN has clear pathways to influence national, European and international policy. Specifics include:
i) Water industry partners: Active industrial partners are Northumbrian Water Ltd (NWL, UK), VIAQUA S.A. (ESP), and VandcenterSyd Denmark (VCS, DK). All three companies will provide complete cooperation, including access to their catchments and long-term data sets. However, each partner also has proactive relationships with their public and private stake-holders, and each will use their channels to support DARWIN outreach activities. For example, industrially-supported PhD students will be promoted and each company will help champion wider water issues within each national industry network.
ii) Industry impacts beyond project partners: Through each active partner, DARWIN will have wider influence across the EU water industry. For example, VIAQUA is active across Europe, having offices in ten countries. VIAQUA's philosophy is to invest in innovation to improve access to clean water, which they espouse across their corporate network. As such, DARWIN via VIAQUA will have pan-European influence, including water industries in countries outside of DARWIN. Further, NWL is an active partner in UKWIR; a research network spanning all UK water companies. UKWIR brokers novel approaches to wastewater management, which provides a path for DARWIN to impact the whole UK water industry. Finally, Danish colleagues have active collaborations with BIOFOS (the organisation responsible for sewage treatment across Copenhagen), and Veolia Water (FR), which is among the largest water companies in the world, creating global influence.
iii) Impact through the EAB: Our EAB includes Prof R Singer (US Presidential Advisory Committee on ARB), Prof Y-G Zhu (Director of the Chinese Academy of Science Institute of the Urban Environment), and Prof FB Mochales (Director of Instituto Ramon y Cajal de investigación Sanitaria). All three advisors are influential leaders on links between environmental and clinical AMR, and health in their countries. They provide a direct path for DARWIN to guide AMR decisions in each country and across the EU, which are all influential to global AMR policy.
iv) AMR awareness networks: DARWIN will link with ECDC, COMBACTE and EPI-NET under the new drugs for bad bugs - ND4BB program, ESCMID and its affiliated study groups on Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance; Food- and Water-borne Infections; and Epidemiological Markers. These leading epidemiological networks on AMR will expand the impact of our project, including contextualising DARWIN efforts to help combat AMR spread in Europe.
v) The public-at-large: DARWIN will be use Press Offices of each academic partner to promote results to their local and national press, stakeholder organisations, and public interest groups. We have a strong track record in the public access to AMR work, including coverage on BBC World News and Danish TV, especially the role of the environment on AMR in healthcare systems. To further promote access, a multi-lingual webpage will be developed as well as a regularly updated Twitter feed, which allows rapid dissemination of outputs. We will, however, pay careful attention to reporting of results so as not to create undue concern about AMR detected during the work. Finally, Citizen Science will be encouraged throughout he project via access to our webpage, including an "invitation to share and collaborate" on the wider use of our databases.
i) Water industry partners: Active industrial partners are Northumbrian Water Ltd (NWL, UK), VIAQUA S.A. (ESP), and VandcenterSyd Denmark (VCS, DK). All three companies will provide complete cooperation, including access to their catchments and long-term data sets. However, each partner also has proactive relationships with their public and private stake-holders, and each will use their channels to support DARWIN outreach activities. For example, industrially-supported PhD students will be promoted and each company will help champion wider water issues within each national industry network.
ii) Industry impacts beyond project partners: Through each active partner, DARWIN will have wider influence across the EU water industry. For example, VIAQUA is active across Europe, having offices in ten countries. VIAQUA's philosophy is to invest in innovation to improve access to clean water, which they espouse across their corporate network. As such, DARWIN via VIAQUA will have pan-European influence, including water industries in countries outside of DARWIN. Further, NWL is an active partner in UKWIR; a research network spanning all UK water companies. UKWIR brokers novel approaches to wastewater management, which provides a path for DARWIN to impact the whole UK water industry. Finally, Danish colleagues have active collaborations with BIOFOS (the organisation responsible for sewage treatment across Copenhagen), and Veolia Water (FR), which is among the largest water companies in the world, creating global influence.
iii) Impact through the EAB: Our EAB includes Prof R Singer (US Presidential Advisory Committee on ARB), Prof Y-G Zhu (Director of the Chinese Academy of Science Institute of the Urban Environment), and Prof FB Mochales (Director of Instituto Ramon y Cajal de investigación Sanitaria). All three advisors are influential leaders on links between environmental and clinical AMR, and health in their countries. They provide a direct path for DARWIN to guide AMR decisions in each country and across the EU, which are all influential to global AMR policy.
iv) AMR awareness networks: DARWIN will link with ECDC, COMBACTE and EPI-NET under the new drugs for bad bugs - ND4BB program, ESCMID and its affiliated study groups on Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance; Food- and Water-borne Infections; and Epidemiological Markers. These leading epidemiological networks on AMR will expand the impact of our project, including contextualising DARWIN efforts to help combat AMR spread in Europe.
v) The public-at-large: DARWIN will be use Press Offices of each academic partner to promote results to their local and national press, stakeholder organisations, and public interest groups. We have a strong track record in the public access to AMR work, including coverage on BBC World News and Danish TV, especially the role of the environment on AMR in healthcare systems. To further promote access, a multi-lingual webpage will be developed as well as a regularly updated Twitter feed, which allows rapid dissemination of outputs. We will, however, pay careful attention to reporting of results so as not to create undue concern about AMR detected during the work. Finally, Citizen Science will be encouraged throughout he project via access to our webpage, including an "invitation to share and collaborate" on the wider use of our databases.
Publications
Lamba M
(2017)
Hospital Wastewater Releases of Carbapenem-Resistance Pathogens and Genes in Urban India.
in Environmental science & technology
Wu D
(2017)
Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Associated Microbial Community Conditions in Aging Landfill Systems.
in Environmental science & technology
Jong MC
(2018)
Co-optimization of sponge-core bioreactors for removing total nitrogen and antibiotic resistance genes from domestic wastewater.
in The Science of the total environment
Lamba M
(2018)
Carbapenem resistance exposures via wastewaters across New Delhi.
in Environment international
Velasquez-Orta S
(2018)
Retrofitting options for wastewater networks to achieve climate change reduction targets
in Applied Energy
Scott HM
(2019)
Critically important antibiotics: criteria and approaches for measuring and reducing their use in food animal agriculture.
in Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Quintela-Baluja M
(2019)
Spatial ecology of a wastewater network defines the antibiotic resistance genes in downstream receiving waters.
in Water research
Graham D
(2019)
Complexities in understanding antimicrobial resistance across domesticated animal, human, and environmental systems
in Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Title | AMRflows logo and graphic |
Description | We have designed a logo and graphic for the new AMRflows project |
Type Of Art | Image |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Impact | We are using this on our project twitter account and website and will be using it in presentations. |
URL | https://more.bham.ac.uk/amrflows/ |
Description | Citation to research in the US CDC and Wellcome Report on AMR |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
URL | https://wellcome.ac.uk/sites/default/files/antimicrobial-resistance-environment-report.pdf |
Description | Co-lead author on the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report to UNEA5 on AMR in the Environment |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Impact | The UNEP report on AMR in the Environment is intended to be the benchmark from which all solutions will derive. It espouses a One Health ethos, which states that only integrated solutions that bridge healthcare, agriculture, and environment will solve the global problem of AMR. The report also discusses health and AMR within the context of climate change and environmental sustainability. The report has spawned working groups to develop local National AMR Action Plans, one on which I am involved with in the Philippines. |
URL | https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/38373/antimicrobial_R.pdf |
Description | Defra workshop on antimicrobial resistance in the environment |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Description | Initiatives for Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance in the Environment: Current Situation and Challenges. Prepared for U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the UK Science & Innovation Network, and the Wellcome Trust [co-authored by D Graham]aham |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
Impact | Key points taken from report Executive Summary: • Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)-when microbes (i.e., bacteria and fungi) develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to combat them-is a public health threat and global priority. Resistant pathogens can cause infections in humans that are difficult or impossible to treat. • Scientific evidence shows that antimicrobials and antimicrobial-resistant microbes are present and can persist and travel (spread) through the environment (waterways and soils). Human activity can contaminate the environment with antimicrobials and antimicrobial-resistant microbes, which can accelerate the development and spread of resistance. • Contamination can occur from human and animal waste, pharmaceutical manufacturing waste, and use of antimicrobial pesticides for crops; however, the scale and risk associated with this contamination is not fully understood. There are outstanding scientific questions related to the presence and impact of antimicrobial-resistant microbes in the environment and the direct risk posed to human health. • The environment is a key element of the One Health framework. It is necessary to better understand risks, prioritize action to address antimicrobial-resistant microbes in the environment where potential risks to human health are greatest, and cultivate a collaborative global approach. • Scientific review suggests that there are actions that could improve understanding and guide action: - A better understanding of hospital waste treatment in different global settings is a priority, requiring establishment of evidence-based waste standards and implementation of effective waste management practices and capabilities where interventions are most needed. - Good hygiene and sanitation, including effective waste disposal and treatment, are important ways to mitigate the risk of antimicrobial-resistant microbes in the environment associated with human waste and wastewater contamination. - When feasible, contamination by animal waste could be reduced by improving antimicrobial use, developing alternative disease control methods (e.g., vaccines), and improving the quality of the rearing environment to help reduce the need for antimicrobials. - Agreement on a discharge limit for effluents leaving manufacturing sites and standardized monitoring and reporting of effluent levels could significantly reduce contamination and potential human health risks associated with exposure to resistant microbes in the environment. - Potential risks from using antimicrobials on crops could be reduced through greater global transparency of antimicrobial use, implementation of best management practices when applying antimicrobials as pesticides, and greater use of alternative disease prevention and treatment strategies. • To maximize potential impact, align activities to address antimicrobial-resistant microbes in the environment (e.g., addressing knowledge gaps) with existing global public health and development efforts, such as Sustainable Development Goals; the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Initiative; and the Global Health Security Agenda. |
URL | https://wellcome.org/sites/default/files/antimicrobial-resistance-environment-report.pdf |
Description | Knocking Out AMR Surveillance workshop |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
URL | https://microbiologysociety.org/our-work/knocking-out-antimicrobial-resistance.html |
Description | Member of the Expert Advisory Board (EAG) to the Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE) for the UK Homeland Security Group |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Impact | The EAG has provided real-time guidance on health and environmental monitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has included numerous reports that have reached PM and Cabinet level hands, though the Department of Social and Health Care, the Joint Biosecurity Centre, and the UK Health Security Agency. Among other products, it has led industry and academia towards practical solutions ranging from rapid monitoring systems for SARS-CoV-2 prevalence to sensors to epidemiological models to dashboards for publication information to new analytical methods. I own special impact is on approaches to AMR monitoring and future opportunities for wastewater based epidemiology. |
URL | https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/accelerated-capability-environment-ace |
Description | Monitoring wastewater for COVID-19. Prepared for The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology [Author: Amelie Ott, with contributions by D Graham and M Quintela-Baluja] |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
Impact | This impartial brief was prepared for Members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords to get them up to spread on wastewater monitoring for Covid-19. This review is written in plain English making it accessible to a broad audience. Additionally, it identifies the government-led projects for England, Wales and Scotland and how information gathered by these projects are passed on to NHS Test and Trace and the local council, who were able to alert local health professionals to the increased risk and contact people in the area to warn of the increase in cases. |
URL | https://post.parliament.uk/monitoring-wastewater-for-covid-19/ |
Description | Public consultation on antimicrobial manufacturing effluent guidance |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
URL | https://www.who.int/news/item/21-12-2023-public-consultation-on-antimicrobial-manufacturing-effluent... |
Description | Technical brief on water, sanitation, hygiene and wastewater management to prevent infections and reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Published by World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and World Organisation for Animal Health [D Graham co-author] |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
Impact | This document defines the six Action Areas that need to be addressed to reduce global AMR, especially in LMICs via full WaSH implementation. The Technical Brief has been translated into six languages so far and is underpinning One Health solutions to AMR around the world. |
URL | https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240006416 |
Description | UK-India AMR Programme: India Stakeholders Workshop |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
URL | https://indiaukamrenvironment.org/ |
Description | WHO AMR WASH Policy |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
Description | WHO/FAO/OIE Policy linking WASH Implementation and AMR Mitigation |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
Impact | The policy provides evidence that implementing WASH and decentralised sanitation can reduce AMR spread in LMICs. The formal WHO/FAO/OIE Policy Brief has not yet become public (expected April 2020), but its content already has been shared with some governments and evident changes are occurring on the ground. One of the goals of the Brief is to provide a template for developing AMR National Action Plans, which was among key elements contributed by our work. |
Description | AMRflows: antimicrobials and resistance from manufacturing flows to people: joined up experiments, mathematical modelling and risk analysis |
Amount | £788,545 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/T013222/1 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2020 |
End | 10/2024 |
Description | British Council and UK Science & Innovation Network UK-Israel SYNERGY Symposium |
Amount | £8,500 (GBP) |
Organisation | British Council |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2017 |
End | 05/2018 |
Description | Drivers of AMR and spread of ESBL producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in maternity wards in Cameroon (West Africa) |
Amount | £10,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | IGI-IAS funding |
Organisation | University of Birmingham |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2022 |
End | 07/2022 |
Description | EPSRC Bright Ideas Program |
Amount | £251,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/R036705/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2018 |
End | 03/2020 |
Description | EPSRC Institional Sponsorship Funds |
Amount | £18,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | GCRF_IS_2017 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2017 |
End | 03/2018 |
Description | EPSRC Institutional Sponsorship Fund |
Amount | £17,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/R512692/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2017 |
End | 03/2018 |
Description | Embedding Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Childhood Malnutrition Studies in South Asia into World Health Organisation (WHO) Policy |
Amount | £27,033 (GBP) |
Organisation | Newcastle University |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2020 |
End | 12/2020 |
Description | Establishing health data industry collaboration to develop methodologies for assessing risk of antimicrobial resistance |
Amount | £29,600 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BBSRC FoF funding |
Organisation | University of Birmingham |
Department | College of Medical and Dental Sciences |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2022 |
End | 02/2024 |
Description | GCRF Water Security and Sustainable Development Award |
Amount | £17,100,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ES/S008179/1 |
Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2019 |
End | 02/2024 |
Description | Impact Acceleration Award |
Amount | £31,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2018 |
End | 07/2019 |
Description | Newton Insititutional Award Program |
Amount | £80,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Newton Fund |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2018 |
End | 03/2020 |
Description | PredictRiskAMR: Scaling up the prediction of risk of selection for antimicrobial resistance in the aqueous environment to inform policy |
Amount | £29,600 (GBP) |
Funding ID | QR SPF funding |
Organisation | University of Birmingham |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2022 |
End | 03/2022 |
Description | Quantifying Perceptions of Antibiotic Resistance and its Causes to Promote Decentralised Wastewater Treatment |
Amount | £14,700 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2019 |
End | 03/2020 |
Description | University of Birmingham Institute for Global Innovation (IGI) development theme |
Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Birmingham |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2018 |
End | 01/2021 |
Title | Developed AMR source tracking bioinformatics tool |
Description | Traditionally HT-qPCR (resistomes) and 16S sequencing (microbiomes) data are analysed independently, but we have developed a new method for overlaying the functional gene and bacterial genotype datasets, respectively, to stochastically align AMR gene data to specific bacteria and their original source. This is being used to identify sources of AMR in catchments, which includes wastewater sources. The method is being tested in a number of projects. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | The method is described in a manuscript, which is currently under academic peer review (as of April, 2019). We are optimistic the will become public in summer 2019. Once published, we expect impact will be significant because it will provide a new way of linking specific waste sources to downstream human exposures. |
Description | Cameroon |
Organisation | University of Yaoundé |
Country | Cameroon |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We are contributing our expertise in mathematical modelling and bioinformatics and experience in antimicrobial resistance in the environment to this collaboration. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our partner provides clinical microbiology expertise and access to study sites which are maternity wards in Cameroon. |
Impact | Not yet, we have just started. |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Development of new resistance gene arrays for screening wastewater |
Organisation | Michigan State University |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We worked with Michigan State University to refine and modify their resistance gene array for performing High-Throughout qPCR of wastewater samples in the project. Their previous array quantified 280 resistance genes across 19 classes of antibiotics, but coverage in each resistance class was thin. We helped them refine their array to focus on resistance genes of particular medical relevance, including ESBL and carbapenem resistance. The new array includes 60 genes, but has expanded ESBL and carbapenem resistance coverage from eight genes to 60. To our knowledge, the new array is the only method for precisely quantifying this many ESBL and carbapenem resistance genes simultaneously, and we are now using the array and this partnership on all our AMR projects around the world. A slightly modified version of this array is now being trialled using samples from the Newton Institution award. |
Collaborator Contribution | They had the technology, but their array was non-specific. Based on our guidance, they rebuilt and modified their array for our use and also the use of others interested in ESBL and carbapenem resistance. We are now testing the array in a number of our international projects, including the Newton Institutional award and also just starting on the large GCRF Hub project. |
Impact | Not yet, but soon. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Title | New treatment core for Dentrifying Downflow Hanging Sponge (DDHS) reactors |
Description | The patent application has just been submitted and the paperwork is complete. DDHS are among the options available for local-scale waste treatment in locations like rural Malaysia. The optimised core allows the reactor remove Total Nitrogen, AMR genes and infectious disease from wastewater in a highly effective manner at local scales. No other technology has been proven to do this. Further data to confirm the value of the technology is being gained in the Newton Institutional and other awards. |
IP Reference | Not available yet |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2019 |
Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
Impact | None yet. However, we are currently negotiating the scale up of the technology being tested in the Newton award to full-scale, both in Malaysia and also in India. |
Description | 'Superbug gene' found in one of the most remote places on earth |
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 | Newcastle University Press Release. 28 January 2019. This release matched the storyline presented in the 29 January 2019, Antibiotic resistant 'superbug' genes found in the High Arctic, piece in The Conversation. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/archive/2019/01/arcticbugs/ |
Description | 9th World Water Forum: "One Water One Health" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | A special webinar was held on March 24 at the 9th World Water Forum called "One Water One Health". It was co-hosted by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO), and World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and examines "AMR in the Environment" from a One Health perspective, including transmission and spread in water systems. "This session fosters awareness and multistakeholder dialogue that brings together the tripartite organisations namely the UN FAO, WHO, OIE, and UNEP with the government, the private sector, and experts from environment, health, and WASH sectors. The event presents an opportunity to understand the multitude of water and health linkages and antimicrobial resistance from a water environment perspective, specifically the scope of the problem, sources, drivers, transmissions mechanisms, and the implications to global water security and mitigation actions." During the webinar, I spoke about the role of the wider environment on antimicrobial resistance spread. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.fao.org/land-water/news-archive/news-detail/en/c/1477175/ |
Description | Adviser and co-author of new WASH guidance from the World Health Organisation relative to AMR - David Graham |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | As a result of working with the US CDC, Graham was invited to advise and co-write WASH guidance. The guidance document is currently in revision (as of 02/19) with a planned publication date of 05/19. Our role was to write sections on the value of incremental sanitation improvements to reduce AMR and infectious disease. Our work was informed by all our prejects that relate environmental AMR and contaminated soils and water. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019 |
Description | Annual Graham Group Newsletter |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Annual Graham Research Group newsletter available online and set as a pdf to interested parties. It highlight the group's research efforts and compliments the group's research blog. It provides a condensed version for our funders, research partners, university colleagues, alumni, and students as well as friends and family. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
URL | https://blogs.ncl.ac.uk/grahamr/?page_id=31 |
Description | Antibiotic resistant 'superbug' genes found in the High Arctic |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The article, presented in a layman terms, revealed the discovery of antibiotic-resistant genes in the High Artic and presented an explanation of how this finding has huge implications for global antibiotic resistance spread. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/antibiotic-resistant-superbug-genes-found-in-the-high-arctic-110636 |
Description | Antimicrobial Resistance Podcast Series from Royal Society of Chemistry |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This series investigates the nature of AMR threats and what can be done to tackle them. The series is part of the 'Brought to you by chemistry' podcast series sponsored by the Royal Society of Chemistry hosted by Dr Alex Lathbridge. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.rsc.org/new-perspectives/brought-to-you-by-chemistry-podcast/ |
Description | Antimicrobial resistance in the environment of emerging countries [Amelie Ott] |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Stop-motion film entry for the Institute for Social Science Post Graduate Researcher Impact Award 2019. Awarded third place. It was posted on YouTube for 18 months but has since been made private by the creator Amelie Ott. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Article on our work in the Arabic version of the Scientific American magazine |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | We developed a rapid and simpler method for quantifying AMR gene transfer in environmental samples. One of the partners in the work was a colleague from Egypt and the work drew a lot of nice attention in the Arabic-speaking world. This led to the Arabic Scientific American doing a piece on our work, highlighting its importance people in their region but also more widely across the emerging and developing world. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.scientificamerican.com/arabic/articles/news/tracing-environmental-dimension-of-spread-of... |
Description | CARe response to Parliamentary Inquiry |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Contributed as part of the CARe team of the University of Birmingham's Institute for Global Innovation (IGI) to a response to a Parliamentary Inquiry on the Government's AMR strategy renewal. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Calls for action now to prevent next global pandemic |
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 | Newcastle University Press Office. 12 June 2020. Accouchement the accompany the Conversation piece that call for greater international co-operation to bring about improved water, sanitation and health provision as a way to prevent the next global pandemic |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/latest/2020/06/amractionnowtopreventnextpandemic/ |
Description | Co-author of the whitepaper on global led by the US Center for Disease Control - David Graham |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | The draft whitepaper was prepared for April 2, 2018. Graham was the oral spokesman on proposed whitepaper mitigation strategies related domestic and hospital waste management at the international forum in Vancouver on April 4 and 5. This event had 150 policymakers from around the world, representing over 40 countries. The final whitepaper was published in December 2018, which consolidated the Vancouver meeting and was released to the WHO and all governments that have contributed to the forum. The report was entitled "Initiatives for Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance in the Environment: Current Situation and Challenges" and was published on the Wellcome Trust webpage. A component of the whitepaper related to rural sanitation was informed by the Newton Institutional award, using new data collected from Malaysia. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018,2019 |
URL | https://wellcome.ac.uk/sites/default/files/antimicrobial-resistance-environment-report.pdf |
Description | Decentralized WASH Systems to combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) workshop (Colombo, Sri Lanka) - David Graham |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This workshop was presented on behalf of the World Health Organisation. It was held at the IWA Sustainable Development Congress & Exhibition in Colombo (Sri Lanka) to inform and guide practitioners in the water industry about their critical role in reducing AMR via improved water quality. Graham, and two colleagues from IWMI (Sri Lanka) and RIVM (the Netherlands), respectively, presented the workshop, which informed the audience of future guidance from the WHO. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Expert panel and co-writer of whitepaper sponsored by the Sackler Instuitute for Nutrition and New York Academy of Science - David Graham |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Graham is working as co-author and expert advisor in developing an integrated One Health strategy for reducing antimicrobial resistance in the animal food production industry. Initial meetings are occurring now (March 2018 to March 2019) with the goal of an international launch for proposed strategies in New York in April 2019. Launch announcement can be found at https://www.nyas.org/events/2019/antibiotics-in-animal-agriculture-what-you-need-to-know/. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019 |
URL | https://www.nyas.org/events/2019/antibiotics-in-animal-agriculture-what-you-need-to-know/ |
Description | Fighting the Next Pandemic: Water quality, antimicrobial resistance, and global health |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | 2020 Newcastle University Alumni Day lecture. 10 October 2020 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://youtu.be/DB5aKt7YdD8 |
Description | Ganges: sewers could be making water quality of India's great river worse [authors Milledge D and Bunce JT] |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The article touches on the fact that sewers may be making the Ganges water quality worse. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/ganges-sewers-could-be-making-water-quality-of-indias-great-river-worse-... |
Description | GrahAM Research Group Blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | This is my group's research blog. I highlights current activities, while listing key engagment activities. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021,2022,2023 |
URL | https://blogs.ncl.ac.uk/grahamr/ |
Description | GrahAMR Research Group Blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | The GrahAM Research Group blog highlights the work of the Graham research team, focusing primarily on work surrounding antimicrobial resistance (AMR), taking a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to global health and well-being. The team of researchers, led by Newcastle University Prof David W Graham, utilises a holistic 'One Health Approach', and contributes to several of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our research provides guidance to various international organisations, including the World Health Organisation, and bridges sustainable development, engineering, health, and sociotechnical mitigation options for reducing global AMR. The main topics we explore are the transmission, fate and impact of antibiotic resistance genes in the environment resulting from human activity; energy minimization in water, wastewater and solid waste management systems; the microbiology and ecology of greenhouse gas suppression and production in geochemical settings, especially in Polar regions; and water and environmental quality in the developing and emerging world. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
URL | https://blogs.ncl.ac.uk/grahamr/ |
Description | Health Protection Assurance Board for the City of Newcastle Director of Health Member |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | I am a member of Health Protection Assurance Board for the City of Newcastle Director of Health. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |
Description | Heavy metal pollution can increase antibiotic resistance in rivers |
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 | The press release stated in part "Research by Newcastle University and the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi quantified antibiotic and metal resistance in sediments from the Ganges and Yamuna Rivers in India and streams in the River Tyne catchment. The results show heavy metals, which are high in the River Tyne catchment due to historic mining and industrial activity, relate to antibiotic resistance levels in the river. The same was seen in the Indian rivers, especially in areas of industrial activity. Publishing their findings in the journal Environmental Pollution, the team investigated the relationships between heavy metals concentrations, metal resistance gene (MRG) and antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) abundances. The study shows that MRG and ARG abundances increase where metal levels are higher, suggesting reaches with metal pollution have increased antibiotic resistance, even when elevated antibiotics are not evident." |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/latest/2022/05/heavymetalpollutionamr/ |
Description | India-UK team tackles antimicrobial resistance spread in waterways |
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 | Newcastle University Press Office. 6 August 2020. Announced the launch of the AMRFlow project. Story picked up be various media outlets including: Hindustan Times, The Times of India, Deccan Herald, India Education Diary, The Times of Bengal, and The Week, India Inc. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/latest/2020/08/uk-indiaamrflows/ |
Description | Keynote talk at the 27TH Meeting of the Spanish Society for Microbiology |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Keynote presentation at the special symposium at the Spanish Microbiology Society meeting on antimicrobial resistance )AMR). It brought experts from across Europe. Graham's presentation was on environmental AMR spread, including results from the Darwin, Sneaky Bacteria and other projects. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Lecture series in Paraguay - Marcos Baluja |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Dr Marcos Baluja was invited to provide a series of lectures and tutorials on environmental AMR in Paraguay related to work from the project. The series spanned August and September 2019, and included six lectures in medical, environmental and governmental agencies, but also meetings with senior politicians, including the the Minister of the Environment. An MOU between Newcastle University UNA in Asuncion, which will lead to mutual projects, and student and staff exchanges between the two universities. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Lecture tour of environmental and medical institutions in Israel - David Graham |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Provided a series of lectures at different organisations in Israel, including the Rambon Healthcare Center, the Technion University, The Hebrew University (in Rehovot), and at the Ben Gurian Desert Institute, all on AMR mitigation, especially blocking environmental pathways of spread. Audiences ranged from students to healthcare professionals to academics across disciplines. These have led to collaborative work on AMR spread, initially in Ethiopia. More impact would have been seen if the UK had not ceased their funding to the JPIAMR scheme. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Methods workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | We organized two workshops with 7 sessions in total to explain a variety of detection methods and modelling methods important for all researchers in the field of antimicrobial resistance in the environment. The sessions were attended by about 50 researchers and have been posted on YouTube with some additional views. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPRSE-3KaIBGBJJMFwkC7fA |
Description | Moderated a global webinar for the United Nations Environment Programme on AMR in the Environment |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) held a global webinar on AMR in the Environment, which was broadcast around the world on November 20, 2021. Myself and Prof Yong-Guan Zhu (Senior Scientist at the Chinese Academy of Science) were the moderators. My own role was to bridge between speakers and I chaired a roundtable discussion after the invited speakers presented the work. The webinar has over 9000 attendees, which UNEP announced afterwards was the most attendees they had ever had at public webinar on health-related topics. It was viewed as a huge success and displayed our groups expertise across research themes. After the webinar, I was contacted by senior health officials from numerous countries to discuss the implications of the narrative from the webinar. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.koushare.com/lives/room/262942 |
Description | Newcastle University Find Antibiotic Resistant Genes in Arctic |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Short film made available on the Newcastle University YouTube Channel. 28 January 2019. The content dovetails with the Antibiotic resistant 'superbug' genes found in the High Arctic in The Conversation and the 'Superbug gene' found in one of the most remote places on earth, Newcastle University Press Release on 28 January 2019. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDiIDkb4pDg |
Description | PATH-SAFE: Tracking foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial-resistant microbes, UK Food Standards Agency, Strategic Advisory Board |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | The Pathogen Surveillance in Agriculture, Food and Environment (PATH-SAFE) programme is a £19.2m Shared Outcomes Fund (SOF) research programme which aims to develop a national surveillance network, using the latest DNA-sequencing technology and environmental sampling to improve the detection, and tracking of foodborne human pathogens and AMR through the whole agri-food system from farm-to-fork. The heart of this 'virtual network will be a new data platform that will permit the analysis, storage and sharing of pathogen sequence and source data, collected from multiple locations across the UK by diverse government and public organisations (incl. FSA, FSS, DHSC, Defra and others across the devolved administrations). This single, user-friendly data system will enable rapid identification and tracking of foodborne pathogens and AMR, improving public health, and minimising the economic and environment impact of outbreaks. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |
URL | https://acmsf.food.gov.uk/PATH-SAFE%3A%20Tracking%20Foodborne%20Pathogens%20and%20Antimicrobial%20Re... |
Description | Personal highlighted interview in an international magazine aimed healthcare professionals |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Graham was interviewed by Health Europa on relationships between sanitation and the spread of antibiotic resistance. The article was presented as a series of question and answers, specifically aimed at informing medical practitioners on the importance on environmental factors on human health. The article highlighted new methods we developed for tracking AMR in environmental samples in less developed countries. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.healtheuropa.eu/sanitations-role-in-reducing-the-spread-of-amr/113200/ |
Description | Presenting work on AMR dynamics on dairy farms at the UK dairy day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presenting results from the related NERC grant EVAL-FARMS on AMR dynamics on dairy farms to practicing dairy farmers and the dairy industry at the UK Dairy Day in Telford. We had many discussions with farmers at our stand and they were interested in our recommendation to store the slurry the longer the better before applying on fields. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Quadripartite Technical Group on Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Integrated Surveillance |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | (QTG-AIS) established by the Quadripartite Joint Secretariat on AMR, was formed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, and the World Organisation for Animal Health. It was created to provide advice and guidance on the development of global, regional and country-level integrated surveillance systems for AMR and AMU. A special goal is to establish effective surveillance capacities across all resource settings. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |
URL | https://www.who.int/news/item/26-01-2023-the-quadripartite-organizations-established-the-technical-g... |
Description | Scientists around the world are already fighting the next pandemic |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Graham DW and Collignon P (9 June 2020 • 06:00 am) The Conversation. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/scientists-around-the-world-are-already-fighting-the-next-pandemic-11524... |
Description | Source tracking of antimicrobial resistance in emerging countries |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Supporters |
Results and Impact | Amelie Ott gave a webinar for the Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) on 'Source tracking of antimicrobial resistance in emerging countries' with over 200 stakeholders registered for this event. Amelie talked about environmental antibiotic resistance in low-and-middle-income countries with a special focus on monitoring and modelling antibiotic resistance in South East Asian rivers. Amelie was invited to give this webinar after winning the student competition at the RSPH 'What is the future of water in public health?' conference in Sheffield, December 2019. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://his.org.uk/training-events/external-events/what-is-the-future-of-water-and-public-health/ |
Description | The Linkage between Wastewater, Health and Sustainable Sanitation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Professor David Graham joins Professor Dato' Ir Dr Zaini Ujang (Secretary General to the Environment Ministry of Malaysia) and Professor Azmi bin Aris (Director of Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Water Security, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia) as panellists and moderator for this webinar. The webinar took place 17-19 August 2020. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://youtu.be/wrZwTpseejY?t=393 |
Description | Training Workshop on Mitigating antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in the water cycle: Analytical methodologies and improving water quality - David Graham/David Werner |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | We organised and led this workshop in association with four universities in Ethiopia, two universities in Israel, and members of the FAO and WHO. The goal was explain AMR in comparatively simple terms, and then promote new work in Ethiopia that bridges government, NGOs and academic groups in the country. It is also taught research methods. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Urgent action needed to limit the spread of superbugs |
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 press release highlighted my role as co-authored of the flagship report Bracing for Superbugs: strengthening environmental action in the One Health response to antimicrobial resistance was launched at the Sixth Meeting of the Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance AMR. It also announced my recent appointed to the UN Quadripartite Technical Group On Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Integrated Surveillance (QTG-AIS). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/latest/2023/02/amrunreport/ |
Description | Webinar 3: Technical solutions for the prevention and control of AMR in the environment |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | The Quadripartite, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), hosted the Antimicrobial Resistance in the Environment Webinar Series. I spoke in the session on technical solutions for the prevention and control of AMR in the environment. Talks were live, but later placed on YouTube. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfV70MNajxk |
Description | Workshop on Pharmaceuticals in the Environment: Risks in low and middle income countries (Nairobi, Kenya) - David Graham |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | This was a think tank organised by AstraZeneca to discuss the impact of pharmaceutical pollutants in the environment in developing countries. It included experts from around the world, but also included representatives from NGOs, government agencies. The product of the workshop is a call for action, which is aimed at industry and governments around the world. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Workshop on the use of molecular biological methods for environmental research - David Graham |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This workshop was for researchers and professional practitioners in Malaysia and Singapore. It taught how to collect environmental samples for molecular analysis, extract and purify DNA, quantify DNA signatures and then interpret data. The methods are now being using used by colleagues in Malaysia and Singapore. The course was taught by our group, but primarily by senior PhD students and junior PDRAs, both of which gained valuable experience from designing and delivering the course. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |