Antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobials and the resistance that microorganisms have developed to these drugs represents an urgent public health problem. It is also a major transversal research axis in microbiology that requires multidisciplinary approaches. The AMR issue and in particular antibiotic resistance are above all One Health issues involving human health, animal health and the environment. The questions of species barrier and transmission between these three sectors are central.

 

Our research is anchored on field, ecological, epidemiological and genomic data to identify the most critical problems. These data can be local, e.g. from an hospital, or global, including data from low- and middle-income countries. We are addressing the selection and the dissemination of resistance. Studies on microorganisms in vitro or in interaction with the host allow to characterize resistance mechanisms, but also dormancy or persistence favouring escape to treatment. In coordination with the chemists and the screening platforms we are also exploring alternative strategies, chemical and biological, to treat infections. In particular we are investigating new therapeutic targets of the pathogenic microorganism, and also of their interaction with the host. Mathematical modelling and Artificial Intelligence approaches allow us to make hypotheses and accelerate discoveries.

The cross-sectional analysis between viral, bacterial, parasitic and fungal pathogens provide us with to cross complementary experiences and cultures.