Solutions Program
The Solutions Program is focused on identifying and developing interventions that mitigate AMR risk in agribusiness, food, water and waste systems.
About
Activities in the Solutions Program build on the outputs and innovations of the Monitoring and Analytics programs. Research projects focus on targeted treatments and engineered solutions to improve water quality and waste treatment, reduce infection and disease, and decrease AMR loads to receiving environments and across value chains.
These outcomes will increase agribusiness production, reduce the costs of product disposal in the food production and processing sectors, and help to protect human health and animal welfare.
By pursuing a broad range of research across industries, SAAFE also aims to support behaviour change to extend the effectiveness of critically important antimicrobial treatments.
Program objectives
- Designing targeted AMR treatments and alternatives, such as vaccines and optimised feeds
- Creating engineered solutions to improve wastewater treatment and decrease AMR loads to receiving environments, thereby reducing risks associated with water re-use in horticulture and agriculture
- Developing best-practice guidelines for industry self-regulation and antimicrobial stewardship
- Creating end-user digital technology for improved management of AMR risks.
Program lead
Professor Andy Barnes is a medical microbiologist who has specialised in livestock vaccines for 30 years. At the University of Queensland, his Aquatic Animal Health Lab is focused on aquatic animal health and immunity and on developing vaccines for a broad range of finfish species. Andy worked for the Scottish Office of Agriculture and Fisheries Department, Aberdeen, and the Moredun Research Institute in Edinburgh before joining a small Canadian biotech company, Aqua Health Ltd, that specialised in developing vaccines for aquaculture. Aqua Health was bought by pharmaceutical giant Novartis in 1999, and Andy worked in Novartis’ animal health division before transitioning to an academic career at the University of Queensland in October 2003.
Current projects
Proponent: Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)
Lead research provider: University of Queensland
Timeframe: 4 years
Development of alternative antimicrobial agents for the treatment of skin conditions to improve animal health and productivity
Proponent: Calix Ltd
Lead research provider: University of South Australia
Timeframe: 3 years