Details of Award

NERC Reference : NE/N019989/1

◀ Back to previous page

The environmental REsistome: confluence of Human and Animal Biota in antibiotic resistance spread (REHAB)

Grant Award

Principal Investigator:: Professor D Crook, University of Oxford, Experimental Medicine
Co-Investigator:: Dr N De Maio, EMBL - European Bioinformatics Institute, Goldman Group
Co-Investigator:: Professor TEA Peto, University of Oxford, Clinical Medicine
Co-Investigator:: Professor AS Walker, University of Oxford, Experimental Medicine
Co-Investigator:: Professor DJ Wilson, University of Oxford, Big Data Institute - NDPH
Co-Investigator:: Professor N Stoesser, University of Oxford, Experimental Medicine
Co-Investigator:: Dr A Sheppard, University of Adelaide, Unlisted
Co-Investigator:: Dr R Sebra, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Genetics and Geonomic Sciences
Grant held at:: University of Oxford, Experimental Medicine

Science Area:: Atmospheric; Earth; Freshwater; Marine; Terrestrial
Overall Classification:: Unknown

Science Classification details

ENRIs:: Biodiversity; Environmental Risks and Hazards; Global Change; Natural Resource Management; Pollution and Waste
Science Topics:: Population Genetics/Evolution; Microbiology; Genomics; Pollution; Bioinformatics

Abstract:: OVERALL STUDY AIM We do not fully understand how important types (species) of bacteria and packages of genetic material (genes) coding for antibiotic resistance move between humans, animals and the environment, or where, how and why antibiotic resistance emerges. This study aims to look in detail at the genetic level at bacteria in farm animals, human/animal sewage, sewage treatment works and rivers, to work out the complex network of transmission of important antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes. We will use this information to work out how best to slow down the spread of antibiotic resistance between humans, livestock and the environment. STUDY BACKGROUND AND AIMS IN MORE DETAIL Infections are one of the most common causes of ill-health in human and animal medicine, and are caused by a range of different micro-organisms, including viruses and bacteria. Amongst bacteria, there are some species, or types, of bacteria, which can live harmlessly in human and animal intestines, sewage, and rivers, but can also cause disease in humans and animals if they get into the wrong body space, such as the bloodstream or urine. Examples of these bacteria include E. coli, and other similar organisms, which belong to a family of bacteria called "Enterobacteriaceae". It has generally been possible to treat infections caused by bacteria using several classes of medicines, known as antibiotics. Different antibiotics kill bacteria in different ways: for example, they can switch off critical chemical processes that the bacteria need to survive, or they can break down the outer shell of the bacteria. In response to the use of antibiotics, bacteria have changed over time, finding ways to alter their structure so that antibiotics no longer have a target to act on, or by producing substances that break down the antibiotic before it has a chance to kill the bacteria. These changes to the bacteria's genetic code, so that they are no longer killed by an antibiotic, create antibiotic resistance. Bacteria can also acquire packages of genes that cause antibiotic resistance from other surrounding bacteria. This is known as horizontal gene transfer. Through these mechanisms, members of the Enterobacteriaceae family of bacteria have developed antibiotic resistance to a number of different antibiotics over a short period of time. In some cases we are no longer able to treat these infections with the antibiotics we have available. Studying antibiotic resistance and horizontal gene transfer in bacteria found in humans, animals and the environment is difficult because we cannot directly see how bacteria and their genetic material move between them. However, new "Next Generation Sequencing" (NGS) technologies allow scientists to look in great detail at the genetic code of large numbers of bacteria. Comparing this information across bacteria which have been living in the different parts of the environment (e.g. sewage treatment works, rivers) and in human and animal sewage allows us to see how bacteria have evolved to become resistant to antibiotics, and how resistance genes have been shared between them. This study will use NGS technologies to look at the genetic code of large numbers of Enterobacteriaceae bacteria found in humans, animals (pigs, sheep and poultry), sewage (pre-, during and post-treatment), and rivers. These different groups/areas will be sampled in different seasons of one calendar year to determine how antibiotic resistance genes move around between these locations and over time, and what factors might influence this movement. We will also be investigating whether various chemicals and nutrients in the water may be affecting how quickly horizontal gene transfer occurs. Understanding this is essential to work out how we might intervene more effectively to slow the spread of antibiotic resistance genes and bacteria, and keep our antibiotic medicines useful.

Period of Award:: 1 Jun 2016 - 30 Nov 2020
Value:: £1,009,083 Lead Split Award

(FY details)

Authorised funds only

NERC Reference:: NE/N019989/1
Grant Stage:: Completed
Scheme:: Directed (Research Programmes)
Grant Status:: Closed
Programme:: AMR

This grant award has a total value of £1,009,083

▲ top of page

FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)

DI - Other Costs	Indirect - Indirect Costs	DI - Staff	DA - Estate Costs	DA - Other Directly Allocated	DI - T&S
£650,679	£153,158	£142,236	£55,390	£3,554	£4,065

If you need further help, please read the user guide.