Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to the medicines designed to treat them. This makes infections harder –or sometimes impossible –to cure, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.
AMR threatens the effectiveness of modern medicine and is recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top global public health and development challenges.
At the Doherty Institute, we take a One Health approach to AMR –recognising the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health. Our work spans infection prevention and control, antimicrobial stewardship, advanced diagnostics, global surveillance, and translational research to improve how drug-resistant infections are detected, treated, and prevented.
In our laboratories, researchers are uncovering how bacteria develop resistance, enhancing the effectiveness of existing antibiotics by targeting resistance mechanisms, and exploring new treatments such as microbiome-based therapies. Scientists in our public health laboratories undertake surveillance of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, including the use of cutting-edge technologies like genomics and metagenomics to develop rapid diagnostics and track the emergence and spread of resistant pathogens.
Clinicians are translating discoveries into real-world impact through clinical trials and research studies, helping to shape better treatment options for patients affected by drug-resistant infections such as Staphylococcus aureus and Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales.
Experts in antimicrobial stewardship monitor antibiotic use across hospitals, aged care, primary care, and veterinary settings, informing national antimicrobial stewardship policies and accreditation criteria. These programs are supported by digital health platforms that provide accessible, adaptable tools to guide safe and effective prescribing.
As a designated WHO Collaborating Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance with strong partnerships across the Indo-Pacific region, the Doherty Institute helps build regional capacity through training programs and works collaboratively to advise national policies, driving global action to address AMR.
