The discovery of how hormone-like molecules turn on antibiotic production in soil bacteria could unlock the untapped opportunities for medicines that are under our very feet.

An international team of scientists working at the University of Warwick, UK, and Monash University, Australia, have determined the molecular basis of a biological mechanism that could enable more efficient and cost-effective production of existing antibiotics, and also allow scientists to uncover new antibiotics in soil bacteria.

On the 11 May WMG hosted a live webinar led by Antony “Tony” Williams (Cheminformatician, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure) from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Over 25 researchers joined the webinar - the first joint activity to share the agency’s research/evidence base with the wider Warwick community.

Canada is quickly advancing efforts to respond to the current COVID-19 pandemic both at home and around the globe. Last week, Prime Minister Trudeau launched a CAD $1.1 billion medical research strategy.

As part of this response, the Canadian High Commission in London has shared information with Warwick regarding a COVID-19 Rapid Research Funding Opportunity which was recently launched by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and its partners.