Eleanor Best

Natural Product Antibiotic Drug Discovery: Exploring deep sea microorganisms and associated metabolites as potential sources for the development of novel antimicrobial agents

“I will be working with Professor Paul Race in the School of Biochemistry looking at natural product antibiotic drug discovery. Antibiotic resistance presents a huge threat to global health and could cause up to 10 million deaths by 2050 if nothing is done. Over the next 6 months, I will be studying previously undiscovered deep sea sponges and culturing the bacteria living inside them to hopefully uncover new species of antibiotic producing bacteria. I will then test their antimicrobial activity against resistant pathogens to hopefully lead to the development of novel antimicrobial agents effective against the most resistant bacteria, and help develop a solution to the growing antimicrobial resistance crisis.”

Sophia Muschik

Feasibility and acceptability of data collection from (patient-clinician-family) conversations in which decisions regarding high-risk emergency interventions are made

“Shared decision-making aims to support patients to make decisions about their care that are right for them, and is a vital aspect of good healthcare. However, in emergencies, where decisions about invasive treatments are made under pressure, it may be challenging to achieve.

“In my Clinical Primer, I will investigate how best to conduct research on conversations in which decisions about treatments are made between patients, their families and clinicians. I will assess the feasibility and acceptability of communication research in this setting, and interview stakeholders to understand their views and improve methods. This will aid further research on shared-decision making in emergency care, and ultimately improve this dialogue, ensuring that in these crucial moments patients are able to make decisions that are right for them.”

Frances Edwards

Exploring genetic mechanisms underpinning diagnostic uncertainties in susceptibility to piperacillin/tazobactam

"I will look at antibiotic resistant strains of E coli bacteria, and aim to understand the genetics behind why some are less susceptible to Tazocin (one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in hospitals). This will help us improve the treatment of patients with serious drug resistant infections."