GW4 Crucible Seed Projects

Overall, the work will establish a versatile framework to investigate antimicrobial efficacy and antimicrobial resistance evolution in diverse PMBs. Additionally, the project will facilitate sharing of experimental and theoretical expertise across the GW4 network and lay the foundation for larger funding applications in the future.

University of Bath: Jonathan Nzakizwanayo

University of Bristol: Seána Duggan, Nihal Bandara

University of Exeter: Tobias Bergmiller (PI), Alessandra Da Silva Dantas, Jehangir Cama, Wolfram Moebius

We will develop a programme of work focusing on the co-production of knowledge between researchers and farmers to promote prudent antimicrobial usage and desirable disease management practices on farms. We use E. coli prevalence and antimicrobial resistance data aggregated from contemporaneous literature to produce a detailed transmission model of E. coli and antibiotic resistance on the UK cattle farm environment.

University of Bath: Sion Bayliss

University of Bristol: Ross Booton, Jonathan Tyrrell

University of Exeter: Ray Chan (PI)

Innovation for Agriculture: Lisa Morgans

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited life-limiting disease exacerbated by chronic lung infections. People with CF require frequent and aggressive antimicrobial treatments throughout their life. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is therefore of great concern for CF patients and new therapies are urgently needed. This project proposes an ambitious pilot study to investigate a personalised alternative treatment against key bacterial and fungal CF pathogens.

University of Bath: Neil Brown

University of Bristol: Jonathan Tyrrell

Cardiff University: Manon Pritchard, Rebecca Weiser

University of Exeter: Philip Mitchelmore (PI)

Working with stakeholders (especially farmers in South West England & Wales), this project explores the potential of applying game design features (e.g. goal setting, scoring systems) to investigate antibiotic use practices.

University of Bristol: Robert Hughes (Co-PI)

Cardiff University: Nervo Verdezoto

University of Exeter: Matthew Lloyd Jones (Co-PI), Aimee Murray, Max Barnish

In this project, we aim to develop a functional collaboration that combines our expertise in medicinal chemistry, bacteriology, mycology and antibiotic resistance. In particular our goal is to evaluate two classes of compounds for antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity against Staphylococci and Candida. We will begin to examine several aspects of compound activity namely, synergistic antimicrobial activity and their effect on bacterial-fungal communities. Finally, we will undertake preliminary studies of their mode of action.

University of Bath: Maisem Laabei (PI)

University of Bristol: Seána Duggan

Cardiff University: Michaela Serpi

University of Exeter: Dhara Malavia, Mark Stappers

We propose to hold a workshop to begin the development of a multidisciplinary framework which considers how groups of agents (human, robot or otherwise) gain (in)accurate insight into the safety or danger of their environment using multiple sensory inputs and digital technology.

University of Bristol: Edmund Hunt (PI)

Cardiff University: Alexia Zoumpoulaki

University of Exeter: Laura Colebrooke, Avelie Stuart

Our study aims to see how health care professionals (HCPs), e.g. General Practitioners (GPs) and nurses use digital healthcare tools in practices, and whether they are able to pass on the benefits of digital interventions to patients on both sides of the digital divide. We will discuss these issues in focus groups and interviews. We will complement these findings with a brief online survey.

University of Bath: Ben Ainsworth (Co-PI), Charlotte Dack (Co-PI)

University of Bristol: Kate Binnie, Sabrina Grant, Gemma Lasseter, Sophie Turnbull

University of Exeter: Laura Colebrooke, Barbara Silarova

Via a mixed methods, this collaborative project will seek to address the paucity of evidence in around Novel Healthcare Technologies by probing the general public’s perceptions towards the use of these diverse NHTs by administering a survey to a nationally representative sample.

University of Bath: Steffi Colyer, Alexandra Voinescu

University of Bristol: Gemma Lasseter (PI), Sarah Sauchelli Toran (PI), Sabrina Grant

Cardiff University: Heungjae Choi, Tim Pickles, Jinjing Zhang

University of Exeter: Ben Sherlock

Our initial scoping study will be set within three Bristol community areas that all experience high levels of social inequality. We want to celebrate what works well, and in collaboration with communities, to identify issues around community cohesion, sense of place, housing, and health.

University of Bristol: Michelle Farr, Malu Villela

Cardiff University: Esther Muddiman (PI), Julie Gwilliam, Ria Poole

University of Exeter: Marcus Gomez, Rebecca Pearce, Anna Rabinovich

With this seed funding we will hold a workshop to form a new multi-disciplinary team consisting of researchers from the GW4 institutions and a researcher from Khulna University in Bangladesh, with the aim of seeking novel approaches to address the complex problem of environmental antibiotic pollution surrounding Bangladesh aquaculture farms.

University of Bath: Hans-Wilhelm Nuetzmann

Cardiff University: Darrick Evensen, Ludivine Petetin, Emma McKinley

University of Exeter: Kelly Thornber (PI), Rebecca Pearce, Marcus Gomes, Anna Rabinovich, Helen Smith

Khulna University, Bangladesh: M. Moshiur Rahman