The Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre is seeking expressions of interest from Western Australians to join an Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Community Reference Group, to provide vital community perspectives on the research activities into this global health concern.
The World Health Organization projects that AMR will cause over 10 million annual deaths within the next 30 years.
AMR happens when bacteria develop ways to resist antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines. These ‘superbugs’ can cause very bad and uncontrolled infections, with limited medicines to treat these bacteria.
The burden of antibiotic resistance is greatest in children, who receive antibiotics more than any other medication type. And those with underlying illnesses like cystic fibrosis (CF) are at higher risk of developing AMR.
Associate Professor Anthony Kicic, Head of Airway Epithelial Research at the Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre, said a top research priority for the CF community is tackling the emergence of lung infections resistant to antibiotics.
This has led his team to focus their research efforts on the use of bacteriophages as an alternative to antibiotics.
“Bacteriophages, or phages, are specialized viruses naturally present in the environment, including in waterways and soil, which can selectively target and eliminate bacteria,” Associate Professor Kicic said.
“Phage therapy allows for personalized treatment approaches, where phages are tailored to treat specific bacterial infections.
“With the rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs posing a global health threat, phage therapy provides a promising alternative to traditional antibiotic treatments, addressing the urgent need for novel antimicrobial strategies.
We know that involving consumers in all aspects of research makes it better, and while we’ve had community involvement in our phage research to date, we are now looking to establish a formal community reference group to get vital community perspectives into our phage research moving forward, as well as into other AMR research projects across The Kids.
Responsibilities of the reference group include advising on research activities, the development and implementation of grant applications, community engagement strategies, and communication efforts surrounding AMR research.
Meetings will be held quarterly, and an honorarium payment will be offered in recognition of members’ contributions.
Individuals interested in joining this vital initiative are encouraged to contact Community Involvement Coordinator Mitch Messer at 08 6319 1413 for further details.
Alternatively, individuals can find out more about the role and register their interest here
Watch this video to find out more about AMR and phage therapy through the eyes of community members Mitch Messer and Amanda Bearcroft
Learn more about Phage WA here
The Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre is a powerhouse partnership between The Kids Research Institute Australia, Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation and Perth Children’s Hospital.