The lexicon of antimicrobial peptides: resistance and mechanisms

Understanding the emergence of antimicrobial resistance is one of the key challenges for global human health, but it is also a critical biological phenomenon affecting the development of effective antimicrobials. Thus the project fits closely within Tackling strategic challenges, specifically, Bioscience for an Integrated understanding of health where there is a key objective to Enable the development of tools and interventions to tackle [...] resistance to antimicrobial compounds. However, addressing the rates and mechanisms of resistance to antimicrobial peptides will answer fundamental biological questions of microbial interactions with peptides, which will help in Advancing the frontiers of bioscience discovery. The comprehensive aspect of the 'universe' of peptides used means specifically advancing the understanding around Understanding the rules of life. In the process, this project will develop the Transformative technologies of antimicrobial peptides and assays of microbial resistance rates. Finally, by bringing together this supervisory team with expertise in a range of health technologies with a particular focus on antimicrobial peptides (Dobson) along with evolutionary mechanisms (Knight) and the genomics of antimicrobial resistance (Gifford) this project will be Building strong foundations, both in terms of the Collaboration, partnership and knowledge exchange involved and in terms of the strategic importance of the People and talent it will develop in the student themselves.