Major Joint Research Initiative, commenced in 2021

AMR is defined as the acquisition of new traits or characteristics that enable microbes to survive and reproduce in the presence of antimicrobial drugs to which they were previously sensitive. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared AMR one of the top global public health threats, predicting deaths directly attributable to AMR to exceed 10 million a year by 2050.

To tackle AMR effectively, a future-ready workforce that can drive the next wave of scientific discoveries and their translation into clinical settings is crucial, yet current research and training programmes do not sufficiently develop the interdisciplinary skill set, and industrial and clinical linkages needed to achieve this.

The Monash Warwick Alliance is in a unique position to address this important unmet need. We have an unparalleled range of combined capabilities in infection biology and microbiology, chemical, structural and synthetic biology, synthetic chemistry and engineering. Coupled with access to clinicians and translational partners and outstanding technology and research platforms, the Alliance can deliver a multipronged approach and “out-of-the-box” thinking required to tackle AMR effectively.

Led by Professor Greg Challis, Monash Warwick Alliance Professor of Sustainable Chemistry (Chemical and Synthetic Biology) and Professor Ana Traven, an ARC Future Fellow and co-Head of the Infection and Immunity Research Program at the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, our innovative programme in Emerging Superbug Threats will train outstanding PhD graduates to become the next generation of AMR research leaders.
Guided by a team of experts from diverse disciplines across Science, Medicine and Engineering, our fellows will develop expertise in key areas of AMR research, including antibiotic and antifungal discovery and development, identification of novel targets for therapeutic intervention, development of infection models, and clinical application and translation. The fellows will work in a highly collaborative international environment and will have opportunities to participate in established AMR training programs (such as the International Course on Antibiotics and Resistance) and undertake career development opportunities to develop translational skills (such as Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research).

This uniquely placed international training network will be a world-leading programme in developing the next generation of AMR research leaders. Discussions with external funders to grow and expand the initiative are currently underway, with the programme already attracting significant philanthropic support.

Principal Applicants:

Professor Ana Traven ARC Future Fellow Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Co-Head, Infection and Immunity Research Program Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute Monash University	Professor Greg Challis WISB Monash Warwick Alliance Professor of Sustainable Chemistry (Chemical and Synthetic Biology) Department of Chemistry University of Warwick Distinguished Professor Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Monash University

Co-Applicants:

Dena Lyras (Microbiology) Sheena McGowan (Microbiology) Mibel Aguilar (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) David Lupton (Chemistry) Max Cryle (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) Monash University

Meera Unnikrishnan (Warwick Medical School) Freya Harrison (School of Life Sciences) Phill Stansfeld (School of Life Sciences/Chemistry) Seb Perrier (Chemistry/Warwick Medical School) David Roper (School of Life Sciences) University of Warwick

Research Fellows:

To be advised.