AMR Genes
Antibiotic vs Antimicrobial Resistances
Antibiotic resistance occurs when microbes change in response to antibiotics used to treat infections, making the treatment ineffective.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a broader term, encompassing resistance to drugs that treat infections caused by a range of microbes:
- Parasites (e.g. Malaria)
- Viruses (e.g. HIV)
- Bacteria (e.g. Salmonella)
- Fungi (e.g. Candida)

Drivers and Effects of AMR Genes
On a global scale, the choices that people have made are the driving forces of antimicrobial resistance genes. The presence of these genes in microorganisms affects daily life in our environments through trading, health, and the global economy.

Drivers of Antimicrobial Resistances - Interagency Coordination Group on Antimicrobial Resitstance - Report to the Secretary General of the United Nations - April 2019
Drivers of Antimicrobial Resistance
Impacts of Antimicrobial Resistance
Where do AMR genes come from?
Where do AMR genes come from?
How far have we come?

Tackling AMR - A Cross-Council Initiative Programme - Medical Research Council
Where do we go from here?
Scientists and researchers working on the Home Biome project are trying to better understand AMR genes and antibacterial resistance genes, and how their environment affects them.
The primary goals are to:
- Investigate the relationship between antimicrobial resistance and metal concentrations in house dust
- See if common pollutants in our homes may be supporting/mediating increased microbial resistance
- Identify 'hot-spots' of contamination
- Assess spatial patterns or linkages with underlying meta-data