The causes driving antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and healthcare associated infection (HCAI) are complex and inter-related. They range from the properties of the microbes themselves, through to how they are transmitted and the role of human behaviour and organisations in mediating this. Infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant organisms are now recognised as a global threat. The use of antimicrobials not only in human health but also in animal health and the environment all need to be addressed.

The Antimicrobial Resistance and HCAI Research Group led by Professor Alison Holmes undertake multidisciplinary research to tackle the threat of drug-resistant infections and healthcare associated infections. At the core of the group is the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in HCAI and AMR, a collaboration between Imperial College London, Public Health England, Cambridge University Veterinary School, The Sanger Institute and Imperial College Healthcare Partners. The group also collaborate on a number of projects with the Faculty of Engineering focussed on finding interdisciplinary ways of working to tackle the threat which AMR poses. This group together with other PIs are active members of the Imperial College Antimicrobial Research Collaborative working across Imperial College.

There are specific interests in drug resistance of pneumococci, streptococci and tuberculosis bridging basic and translational research. Research includes population-based studies, mathematical modelling, genomic sequencing approaches to understand the evolution of resistance at a molecular level and work on novel diagnostics