Enhanced Networking on Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance with Next Generation Sequencing

Project Information

AmReSu

Grant agreement ID: 952491

DOI

10.3030/952491

Project closed

EC signature date 6 July 2020

Start date 1 October 2020

End date 31 March 2024

Funded under

• Twinning of research institutions

Total cost

€ 899 995,00

EU contribution

€ 899 995,00

Coordinated by

SEMMELWEIS EGYETEM
Hungary

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - AmReSu (Enhanced Networking on Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance with Next Generation Sequencing)

Reporting period: 2022-01-01 to 2024-03-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Our project “Enhanced networking on antimicrobial resistance surveillance with NGS” brings together Semmelweis University (SU) and Klinika Za Infektivne Bolesti „Dr. Fran Mihaljevic (BFM) with two internationally leading research institutions, Laboratory of Medical Microbiology (LMM), University of Antwerp (UAntwerp) and the Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa) , on the topic of Antimicrobial resistance surveillance with whole genome sequencing (WGS) in correlation next-generation sequencing techniques.

Our aim in AmReSu was to strengthen, to the highest European level, Semmelweis University (SU)’s and Klinika Za Infektivne Bolesti „Dr. Fran Mihaljevic” (BFM)’s scientific excellence and innovation capacity in Antimicrobial resistance surveillance and to set-up an ‘Antimicrobial resistance surveillance vision’ in Hungary and Croatia.
Strenghtening antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance is also in line with the Hungarian National Smart Specialisation Strategy and the Croatian National Programe for Antibiotic Resistance Control.

AMR bacterial infections are a global threat, they are responsible for increased morbidity and mortality rates in Hungary and Croatia, especially in cases of nosocomial infection.
Many previously manageable bacterial infections are becoming increasingly hard to treat. Rising rates of resistance amplify the morbidity and economic burden associated with infections.


The ultimate goal of our project was two-folded:
1. to enhance the scientific and technological capacity of SU and BFM from the Widening Country, namely to successfully implement the latest state of art sequencing techniques and bioinformatic tools and pipelines necessary to investigate reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance in the context of the highly complex human gut microbiota.
2. to help raising the research profile of SU, BFM and their staff by addressing a critical health topic, a complex data analysis and the related competence at project generation, management and exploitation.

The specific objectives linked to our core activities which included research excellence, training, mentoring, knowledge transfer (workshops, conferences and summer schools) for the exchange of expertise and best practices in the field of Antimicrobial resistance, NGS sequencing and data analysis.
We are confident that the achievements of the specific objectives via our executed actions strengthen joint research programmes on surveillance of antimicrobial resistance and microbiome interactions, aiming to analyse the interplay between external risk factors and intrinsic determinants to define how they contribute to the intestinally carried multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the reporting period, the AmReSu team focused on long-term research strategic collaboration on antimicrobial resistance surveillance using whole genome sequencing in correlation with next-generation sequencing techniques. The strategy involved exchanging knowledge and researchers between consortium institutions to build on the existing scientific and innovative potential of Semmelweis University and Klinika Za Infektivne Bolesti “Dr. Fran Mihaljevic”. Additionally, the consortium executed communication and dissemination activities to raise the research profile of the widening partners.
As results of the technical work packages, publications and joint studies were prepared by the collaborative partners.
During the three-years leading up to the start of the project, AmReSu partners contributed with 79 scientific publications:

We were actively advancing joint research, innovation, and educational initiatives to enhance the internationalization and research management of SU and BFM. Young researchers from SU and BFM participated in webinars and mobility activities within WP3 and WP4, focusing on preparing proposals for funding opportunities such as ESCMID, Twinning WIDERA, EUniWell, DSIRE, and JPIAMR. They are now exploring upcoming rounds of the Marie Curie program and other health-related funding calls under the Horizon Europe program, Eurostars, Eureka, Erasmus+, EEA, and Interreg.

The achievements of AmReSu during RP2 period are summed up below:
• 6 on-the-spot/hybrid AmReSu project management events were organized (embedded in workshops, trainings and summer schools) and monthly status meetings were held online due to the pandemic (WP2);
• 2 staff exchanges were organized by UAntwerp in WP3 (4 students)
• 30 students from Uantwerp, SU and BFM participated on the workshops in WP3
• 4 staff exchange to IdISBA was organized with 5 young researchers from SU and BFM (WP4);
• lectures given by IdISBA during the staff exchange (WP4)
• 1 Phd of BFM targeting epidemiology and mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria under the mentorship of IdISBA
• Several communication activities performed through the website, social media, logo,
meetings with industry and research groups, among others (WP5)
• 79 Open Access publications were prepared (WP5)
• 4 expert visits to SU and to BFM from IdISBA and UAntwerp were realised (WP6)

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The current state of the art places infection, microbiome at the centre of many age-related disorders such as increased risk of infection for several pathogens, diabetes and metabolic syndromes. In a time when Europe faces several health threats due to infectious disease outbreaks from outside Europe such as the recent Ebola outbreaks, or multidrug-resistant high risk international bacterial clones. AmReSu resistance is in a unique position to provide Europe with needed tools to effectively understand basic and translational factors of host-microbe interactions and therefore directly impacts the areas of self –care, personalized health advice and public health policy. Through the deep engagement ongoing projects with our partners AmReSu resistance will guarantee that the knowledge related will underpin future innovations and advancements to the benefit of the European citizens.

Through AmReSu resistance we intend to contribute to the country-specific recommendations issued by the EC for improving Hungarian and Croatian economic performance. In AmReSu resistance we aimed to successfully contribute to better integration in regional, national and European business tissue (WP5).

As per the KPIs detailed in 1.1 Objectives of this present deliverable, the consortium exceeded the targeted indicators, hence the partners are confidence that the impacts are even higher than they were expected.
During the AmReSu project, SU and BFM potentiated their research profile in the field of Antimicrobial Resistance. Researchers from both institutions increased noteworthy the number of published articles and their participation in international collaborative projects.

Young researchers from SU and BFM participated in several trainings and conferences during the three-year project improving their knowledge in whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics. After the staff-exchanges, members from SU and BFM are now capable to perform the genomic analysis of different bacteria.

main goal of AmReSu

need for AmReSu

aim of AmReSu