Within this subproject we aim to understand if genetically resistant bacteria interact with surfaces in different ways as compared to non-resistant bacteria and if this leads to selection of resistant bacteria on specific surfaces. Within this project, we will identify combinations of antibiotics and antimicrobial coatings on medical biomaterials that select for and against antibiotic resistance in biofilms.

The project is part of a transnational research collaboration under the Joint Programming Initiative on Antimicrobial Resistance (JPIAMR). The collaboration involves scientists from Germany, Switzerland, the UK and the Netherlands working together on a solution to this research question. The funding measure pursues the aim of bringing together relevant research groups with complementary expertise and resources from the participating countries. Cooperative research approaches will achieve progress in preventing, monitoring and combating antibiotic resistance which could not be achieved on a national level.