When Science Finds a Way - Wellcome

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Stopping superbugs: antimicrobial resistance and the race for new antibiotics Jun 28, 2023

Show notes

Since the discovery of penicillin in the early 20th century, we've seen the risk of minor infections virtually disappear. But after years of antibiotics being abused and overused, we now face a silent pandemic where the treatments we rely on no longer work.

The potential scale of antimicrobial resistance, or AMR, is staggering, and there is a lack of awareness of just how dangerous it could be. Alisha speaks to Dr Anand Anandkumar, an engineer turned biotechnologist, to correct the misconceptions around AMR, and discover what we can do about it. We'll also hear from John Kariuki in Kenya, whose own experience with AMR almost cost him his life, and Benard Wanyama, whose project is treating patients with infections and monitoring the spread of AMR.

Together, they make a powerful case for urgent and collective action to stem the tide of superbugs.