Lay summary
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat, requiring urgent development of alternative therapeutics to traditional antibiotics. One promising approach is phage therapy, which uses bacteriophages—viruses that specifically target and kill bacteria—to treat patients. However, the efficacy of phage therapies can be hindered by bacterial resistance to some phages. Many AMR and anti-phage resistance (APR) genes are spread globally on mobile plasmids, representing one of the most difficult challenges to overcome for treating AMR pathogens. Focusing on carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPOs), listed as WHO Priority Pathogens, we will use genomics and bioinformatics to understand the AMR and APR profiles of strains circulating within Aotearoa-NZ and emerging global threats. Our research aims to identify the most dangerous pathogen lineages requiring innovative phage therapies. By coordinating with national AMR surveillance efforts and bacterial immunity experts, we aim to prioritise effective, equitable strategies to combat AMR infections and improve health outcomes.