US Health Agency Funds 34 Projects to Combat Antibiotics Resistance

More than $14 million have been awarded to 34 research teams across the United States to develop new approaches to combat antibiotics resistance, The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Thursday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — "Understanding the role the microbiome plays in antibiotic-resistant infections is necessary to protect the public’s health," CDC Director Tom Frieden said in the announcement.

The CDC explained the research seeks to better understand how microorganisms, referred to as a person’s microbiome, can be used to predict and prevent infections caused by drug resistant organisms.

The awards, made through CDC’s Broad Agency Announcement, support activities in the health agency’s Antibiotic Resistance Solutions Initiative.

The CDC noted the awards will fund research exploring the link between antibiotics, the microbiome and the consequences of widespread antibiotics use.

The majority of projects set to be funded via the awards are being conducted through universities across the United States, one by a commercial company and two by a nonprofit. Some awardees are conducting multiple projects.