Researchers mobilise to combat antimicrobial resistance
About the role af IVH in the project;
The PIG-PARADIGM project funded by the Novo Nordic Foundation is a large cross-disciplinary project aimed at reducing the need for antibiotic treatment in pig production. The project comprises four interconnected ‘pillars’, i.e., Host, Microbiome, Nutrition and Data Management. IVH plays a major role in particular in the Host pillar for which professor Merete Fredholm is PI. The overarching scientific focus of this pillar is to elucidate the complex interactions between the intestinal microbiome and host factors and determine their separate and combined influence on intestinal health and resilience. The project will bring together researchers across IVH sections with competence in clinical sciences, molecular and quantitative genetics, genomics, pathology, microbiology, bioinformatics.
Part of the press release from Novo Nordisk Fonden;
"Antibiotics are used to treat or prevent some types of bacterial infection, for example in the airways or digestive tract of humans and pigs. However, the current overuse of antibiotics leads to bacteria developing resistance and thus creating a lack of antibiotic efficacy and, worst case, a complete lack of therapeutic options to treat bacterial infections. Currently, more than 700,000 people die each year from infections that are resistant to most, or all antibiotics, and the number is increasing. New approaches to prevent common infections in agriculture can help reduce the need for antibiotics and reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Researchers from universities in Denmark, the United States and the Netherlands are therefore joining forces in a new project, PIG-PARADIGM, collecting data on how to improve intestinal resilience in developing piglets, with the aim of advancing knowledge on how to prevent bacterial infections and reducing the need for antimicrobial use. The Novo Nordisk Foundation is funding the project with DKK 150 million.
“Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest global threats to our health. By supporting the project, the Novo Nordisk Foundation wants to contribute to generating new knowledge that can help to reduce the use of antibiotics in the pig farming industry and thereby counteract the development of resistant bacteria,” says Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO, Novo Nordisk Foundation".
Read the entire press release here
See/hear CEO Mads Krogsgaard Thomsens entry on LindkedIN
