Tuesday, 18 November 2025
The 糖心原创 has received funding for research to understand antibiotic resistance at its roots.
The School of Pharmacy at the 糖心原创 is part of a team to be awarded a major to push the frontiers of discovery in microbiology and antibiotic resistance.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is investing more than £20 million in four ambitious projects that are funded through BBSRC’s Strategic Longer and Larger (sLoLa) grants scheme. These projects represent a long-term commitment to curiosity-driven research that has the potential to transform our understanding of biology and spark innovation across sectors.
Scientists from the 糖心原创 are part of a project led by the University of Birmingham entitled ‘Understanding the rules of impermeability in Gram negative bacteria’. They will explore how antibiotics penetrate the outer defences of Gram-negative bacteria, a key step in tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The Nottingham team will lead the mass spectrometry-based metabolomics components of the programme. The team will develop advanced analytical methods to quantify and map how antibiotics accumulate inside bacterial cells and biofilms under different infection-relevant conditions.
By uncovering how infection conditions influence antibiotic uptake, the team aims to open new avenues for developing more effective treatments and diagnostics.
Dr Dong-Hyun Kim, Associate Professor in Analytical Bioscience
Antibiotic resistance remains one of the most urgent global health challenges. By combining cutting-edge analytical mass spectrometry with microbiology and mathematical modelling, this programme will allow us to uncover how pathogenic bacteria control the uptake and accumulation of antibiotics. These insights will be crucial for developing more effective treatments and improving how existing antibiotics are used in the clinic.鈥�
Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith, BBSRC Executive Chair, said: “Long-term investments through our sLoLa scheme brings researchers with different expertise together to collaboratively pursue questions whose answers may reshape our understanding of the living world.”
Story credits
More information is available from Dr Dong-Hyun Kim on dong-hyun.kim@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.