The role of microbial genomics in delivering the UK's national action plan for confronting antimicrobial resistance 2024-29

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Johnson, Tess and Mason, Lewis C E and Wilson, Hayley J and Price, James R and Hopkins, Katie L and Chattaway, Marie Anne and Leanord, Alistair and Francino Marti, Olga and Mayele-Tamina, Rivie and Johnson, Stephanie and Flowers, Paul and van Schaik, Willem and Baker, Kate S (2026) The role of microbial genomics in delivering the UK's national action plan for confronting antimicrobial resistance 2024-29. The Lancet Microbe. 101372. ISSN 2666-5247 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanmic.2026.101372)

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Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to human and animal health, in addition to environmental resilience. Countries set the agenda on their national action against AMR in the form of National Action Plans (NAPs), with the UK’s latest NAP released in May, 2024. Advances in genomics have strengthened our ability to work towards NAP priorities; however, to date, no mapping of the role genomics plays in contributing to specific goals within the NAP has been undertaken. The UK Research and Innovation-funded Transdisciplinary Antimicrobial Resistance Genomics Network brought together a range of stakeholders to discuss the role of genomics for action on AMR and to deliver policy priority-led research, as outlined in the UK NAP 2024–29. We report our discussions in this Personal View, with key roles for genomics, including informing targeted stewardship in health-care settings, supporting AMR literacy, and supporting effective antimicrobial innovation. However, changes in infrastructure, communication, and cross-sector coordination are needed to support implementation.

ORCID iDs

Johnson, Tess, Mason, Lewis C E, Wilson, Hayley J, Price, James R, Hopkins, Katie L, Chattaway, Marie Anne, Leanord, Alistair, Francino Marti, Olga, Mayele-Tamina, Rivie, Johnson, Stephanie, Flowers, Paul ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6239-5616, van Schaik, Willem and Baker, Kate S;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)