NCCR AntiResist

Home institution: University of Basel

Antibiotics are powerful and indispensable drugs that treat life-threatening bacterial infections and protect patients with weakened immune systems. the proportion of pathogenic bacteria resistant to one or more antibiotics, however, is constantly increasing. Antimicrobial resistance, the evolved ability of bacteria and other microbes to evade antibiotic treatment, is now a global threat. After thirty years of stagnation in the development of new antibiotics, we face the imminent prospect of a post-antibiotic era.

The National Centre of Competence in Research “New approaches to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria” (NCCR AntiResist) aims to revitalise antibiotic discoveries by targeting pathogen behaviour in the human body (in vivo). This approach studies the complex interactions between pathogenic microorganisms and the human host. This will guide the development of human tissue-based models in the laboratory, so-called in vitro models, to identify novel bacterial vulnerabilities for drug development. The team includes Swiss, Swedish and Israeli experts in microbiology, biochemistry, human biology, pharmacology, bioengineering science and clinical medicine across multiple institutions, who are working collaboratively to identify new antibiotics and antimicrobial strategies.

During phase 1 (2020-2024), the NCCR established sampling of typical infection sites in the human body (e.g. respiratory system, urine, blood) and uncovered major differences in bacterial physiology compared to standard laboratory conditions. This patient-derived information has informed the development of a series of patient-mimicking in vitro models. Now in phase 2 (2024-2028), the NCCR is benchmarking and validating these models. The most promising in-vitro models will be refined to identify weak points in the biology of the pathogens and determine potential mechanisms for innovative antibacterial treatments.

Further information on the NCCR:

Website NCCR AntiResist