policy briefings - 英格兰vs美国谁会赢？

the human gut microbiome

human microbiome research is an exciting and dynamic field that has the potential to benefit many areas of our society and the economy. microbiome research has progressed rapidly since the development of new genomic technologies and investment in large-scale, collaborative projects such as the human microbiome project, a ten-year research initiative launched in 2007 which set out to characterise the human microbiome and its role in health and disease. evidence from this project, alongside more recent studies, suggests that the findings from microbiome research can be used to improve human health.

antimicrobial resistance in the uk: therapeutics and vaccines

the rise of antimicrobial resistance (amr) is one of the most urgent global threats to public health in the 21st century. amr refers to disease-causing microbes (known as a pathogens) evolving and gaining resistance to drugs and substances that were once effective treatments against infections (antimicrobials). it poses significant challenges to clinical care, health economies, animal and plant health as well as the environment. microbiologists from across the world are committed to developing innovative solutions to combat amr.

antimicrobial resistance in the uk: diagnostics and surveillance

the rise of antimicrobial resistance (amr) is one of the most urgent global threats to public health in the 21st century. amr refers to disease-causing microbes (also known as pathogens) evolving and gaining resistance to drugs and substances that were once effective treatments against infections (antimicrobials). it poses significant challenges to current clinical care, health economies, animal and plant health as well as the environment. microbiologists from across the world are committed to developing innovative solutions to combat amr and reduce its impact on global health.

climate change: microbes as our allies

the effects of climate change are already evident across the globe. habitats are disappearing, sea levels are rising, and the polar ice caps are melting. the communities most affected are struggling to cope with a rapidly changing world. microbes are directly associated with both the production and consumption of greenhouse gasses, making them an important component in climate change models. microbiology research is instrumental for the monitoring and mitigation of climate change and has revealed ways in which we can harness the power of microbes to avoid climate catastrophe.

a sustainable future: soil health policy report

soils are critically important to the functioning and sustainability of the planet. they provide a range of essential functions, including producing the vast majority of our food, filtering our water and regulating climate. most of these functions are underpinned by micro-organisms, making the knowledge of how they work of vital importance. in spite of this, soils are being degraded at an alarming rate. twenty-four billion tons of fertile soil are annually lost from agricultural systems worldwide and it is estimated that 60-70% of eu soils are unhealthy.

a sustainable future: antimicrobial resistance policy report

amr is a slow-moving pandemic, which already causes at least 70,000 deaths a year globally. unchecked, the impact of amr will continue to grow and has the potential to become the greatest future threat to human health and well-being.

a sustainable future: project statement

the united nations 17 sustainable development goals (sdgs), including “good health and well-being”, “gender equality” and “affordable and clean energy”, build on the success of the millennium development goals to cement hundreds of years of incremental human progress with the support of a strong international community. the global goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. many of the steps that will be taken on the long road towards achieving the sdgs will involve outputs from microbiological research. the major policy decisions needed to set us on this journey require knowledge of relevant microbial activities and how these can be channelled for the greater benefit.

a sustainable future: circular economy policy report

exploitation of material resources and increased pressure on natural ecosystems have raised concerns over potential future resource risk and supply failures worldwide. in recent years, interest in a circular model that looks beyond the current linear ‘take-make-dispose’ industrial model has surged among scientists, policy makers and business actors. the circular economy is based on the principles of designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems.

antimicrobial resistance explainer

in 2015 the united nations (un) adopted the sustainable development goals (sdgs), a set of targets for the world to achieve by 2030. amr is a very real threat to achieving the un sdgs, particularly those associated with poverty, food production, the environment and sustainable economic growth. amr is a naturally occurring process, whereby micro-organisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites) can change and adapt over time, either by modifying the target of the antimicrobial, or by developing and exchanging resistance genes.

soil health explainer

the quality of soil and its suitability for growing crops has been important since humans developed agriculture. back in 1888, rhizobium spp. were found living in the roots of leguminous plants; first suggesting the importance of soil microbes. it is now known that soil microbiomes are diverse communities with complex interactions, made up of a vast array of bacteria, fungi, archaea, protists and viruses, which are crucial for carbon and nutrient cycling, plant health and even soil structure.

circular economy explainer

in an increasingly expanding global economy, within a resource-constrained environment; concerns over the exploitation and possible future scarcity of natural resources are rapidly rising. in recent years, interest in a circular model that looks beyond the current linear ‘takemake-waste’ industrial model, has surged among scientists, policy makers and business actors. the circular economy is based on the principles of designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems.

tuberculosis explainer

tuberculosis (tb) is a debilitating multi-organ disease caused by the bacterium mycobacterium tuberculosis. the most important form of the disease is pulmonary tb, an infection of the lungs and respiratory tract. other types of tb include tb meningitis and miliary tb, which are associated with high mortality in infants and young children.

biofilms explainer

biofilms are communities of micro-organisms that stick to each other and to surfaces. they form in aqueous environments when free-floating micro-organisms attach and adhere to surfaces in response to cues in the environment such as changes in ph and nutrient concentration. the biofilm matures as attached micro-organisms multiply, colonising the surface and recruiting new members which are embedded in self-secreted extracellular polymeric substance (eps), a sticky slime-like material consisting of dna, polysaccharides, and proteins, forming a structured 3d matrix.

antimicrobial resistance

increasing levels of antimicrobial resistance mean that conditions such as tuberculosis, hiv and malaria are again becoming increasingly difficult to treat. antimicrobial-resistant infections cause over 700,000 deaths worldwide annually, and this number is set to grow. there is a need to address the overuse of antimicrobials in medicine and agriculture, and for research to develop new antimicrobials and alternative antimicrobial therapies.

human fungal diseases

over a billion people suffer from relatively minor fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot and thrush, while more serious fungal infections are thought to cause around 1.5 million deaths worldwide each year. human fungal disease burden could be greatly reduced by improving development of, and global access to, new antifungal treatments and rapid diagnostics. strengthening public health capabilities and research on understanding and preventing fungal infection is also important.

food security from the soil microbiome

the soil microbiome – the community of soil micro-organisms found in soil – is crucial for food security and the health of our soils. microbiologists are investigating better understanding of the diversity and function of the soil microbiome, and harnessing it as a tool for sustainable agricultural intensification.

microbiology and climate change

micro-organisms play crucial roles in climate change as users and producers of greenhouse gases. climate change is increasing risks to public health and agriculture from microbial diseases. managing and harnessing microbial processes could help us mitigate and adapt to climate change.

emerging zoonotic diseases

emerging zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases that can be transmitted between vertebrate animals and humans, which have been newly identified, or are increasing in incidence or geographic range. examples include ebola, avian influenza and west nile virus. they pose threats to global public health and economic security.

energy from food waste

food waste in the uk is a valuable, sustainable energy source, once anaerobic digestion has broken it down into biogas.

endemic livestock disease

endemic livestock diseases are found in cows, pigs, sheep and poultry and include mastitis, tuberculosis, avian colibacillosis, and salmonellosis. they are caused by infectious micro-organisms, some of which rapidly evolve to escape control.