The NRP "antibiotic resistance" intends to focus on establishing scientific strategies and new methods applicable to a prospective system of resistance monitoring and on the analysis of the current situation concerning resistance in Switzerland, in all relevant areas (human and animal populations, agriculture, foodstuffs and the environment). The mobility of resistant bacteria or resistance genes and the resulting risk for future therapies will be evaluated. Molecular studies on the emergence of antibiotic resistance will provide new knowledge for the development of new antibiotics and new methods of in vitro detection. Furthermore, social, legal, ethical and economical consequences of the development of antibiotic resistance and a possible modification of rulings on the use of antibiotics will be gauged.
CHF 12 million will be made available over a 5-year period in order to accomplish this multidisciplinary task.



