Hi my friends, welcome back!
I’m excited to introduce a new member of the Co-Evolution team, Hannah Dayton. Hannah is a postdoc at Harvard and an expert in antibiotic resistance research, so I convinced her to share her expertise with the world. The AI-generated podcast this week is about the National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria.
Channeling my inner AI podcast host, this sounds like such an exciting plan!… :-P Also, I tried to make the hosts say they are AI hosts, so hopefully this helps people understand this is AI, all the way.
I won’t take up any more airtime and let Hannah get to it, but I wanted to pop in because this is the first of many posts where you won’t have to just listen to my rambling thoughts and enthusiasm about the mundane ;-)
Until next week and the latest on the NSCEB white papers, enjoy!
Cheers,
-Titus
Hi everyone! My name is Hannah Dayton, and I’m thrilled to join as a contributor to this newsletter and dive into some of the most pressing issues at the intersection of biotechnology and policy.
I’ve spent the better part of a decade studying the beauty of bacteria—and I know “beauty” might sound like an odd word to describe something often associated with infections, but trust me the complexity of these tiny organisms is truly remarkable.
Side note: Our AI friends on the podcast are experts at driving home the importance of why we should all care about antibiotic resistance—sometimes to the point where you’re thinking, 'Okay, I get it!' But stick with it! They make what could be a dense topic surprisingly digestible and engaging, even for those who aren’t as microbe-obsessed as I am.
For the past 7 years, I’ve specifically focused on antibiotic-resistant biofilms, which are intricate communities of bacteria—sometimes numbering in the billions—encased in an extracellular matrix. I found that within these biofilms, bacteria form networks that can transport nutrients and, unfortunately for us, effectively evade antibiotics. It’s a stunning (and alarming) example of microbial survival and innovation.
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria learn how to protect themselves from the drugs meant to kill them. Over time, bacteria can adapt in ways that allow them to survive, even when we take antibiotics. This can happen because bacteria reproduce quickly and can share genes that help them resist antibiotics. So, when antibiotics are used too often or incorrectly (like not finishing a prescription), it gives bacteria more chances to adapt and become stronger, making infections harder to treat. The problem gets worse because antibiotics that used to work stop being effective against these resistant bacteria, creating a problem for someone who has an infection.
Addressing the complex issue of antibiotic resistance requires more than just scientific breakthroughs; it calls for coordinated efforts in policy, innovation, and public awareness. The intersection of biotechnology and policy is where I believe we can create real, impactful change—I want to start by diving into antibiotic resistance, a topic that I am both deeply familiar with and passionate about. While the rise of drug-resistant infections is one of the most pressing public health threats, there’s also a lot of hope, especially with new technologies that could revolutionize how we discover and develop antibiotics.
The rise of superbugs in any one country can have far-reaching consequences for all of us, making this a truly global issue that demands our attention and action. A recent report in Nature revealed that 39 million people could die from antibiotic-resistant infections by 2050, but there’s reason to be optimistic. New global collaborations and cutting-edge technology are giving us the tools to turn this around. Antibiotic resistance is a problem that affects everyone, everywhere, and it’s going to take a collective global effort to stop it. So let's dive into why you should care and what you can help do about it!
A Global Responsibility
Superbugs know no borders, and neither should our response. Whether you’re in a high-income country with advanced healthcare or in a low-income area with limited resources, antibiotic resistance poses a threat to everyone. And while we’ve seen major improvements in reducing deaths in children under 5, the rates of drug-resistant infections among older adults have skyrocketed by 80%.
This means we need to think globally. Regions like South Asia and Latin America are expected to face the highest death tolls from resistant infections by 2050, and these areas often lack access to the tools we take for granted—clean water, sanitation, and affordable diagnostics. We can’t fix antibiotic resistance by just focusing on one country or region. It’s going to take a global movement to get this right.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the top 10 global public health threats (note: antibiotic resistance refers specifically to bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics, while AMR is a broader term that includes resistance across various microbes—bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites—to different antimicrobial drugs). In 2019 alone, 1.27 million people died directly due to AMR, with 4.95 million deaths where AMR played a role. By 2050, 39 million people could die each year from drug-resistant infections, unless we take action now.
That’s why it’s so important for everyone to step up and help. Investment in infrastructure, healthcare systems, and public health campaigns in lower-income countries is key. Imagine the impact we could have if everyone had access to the diagnostic tools that tell us whether an infection is bacterial or viral within minutes. No more guessing, no more unnecessary antibiotics.
We’ve seen from the COVID-19 pandemic just how interconnected the world really is. A health crisis in one country can ripple across the globe. Superbugs are no different. An infection that starts in one part of the world can quickly spread, and the longer we wait to address antibiotic resistance, the more widespread and dangerous these infections become.
But here’s where the optimism comes in: we know what we need to do! The solutions aren’t a mystery. It’s about improving stewardship of antibiotics, making sure we only use them when absolutely necessary. It’s about innovating new antibiotics, developing rapid diagnostic tests, and ensuring that everyone has access to the tools they need to protect themselves. And it’s about collaborating internationally, making this a shared responsibility.
The Path Forward
Over the last decade, both U.S. and global policies have evolved to address this growing threat. Since the 2013 release of the CDC's Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report, the U.S. has made improvements but of course the goalposts continue to shift with our fast evolving microbes.
One of the more significant milestones occurred in 2016, when the U.S. participated in the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance, which led to global commitments to tackle the AMR threat. At the same time, the CDC’s Antimicrobial Resistance Laboratory Network was launched, creating a nationwide capacity to detect and respond to resistant bacteria.
As you might imagine, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 slowed progress as resources were redirected to more imminent threats. However, the commitment to combating AMR remains strong. In 2021, the CDC launched the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Laboratory and Response Network to enhance international capacity to respond to resistant infections. In addition, the White House updated the National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (CARB) in 2020. This plan outlines strategic actions to slow the emergence and spread of resistant infections. Among the key goals is to improve infection prevention, advance the development of rapid diagnostics, and increase international collaboration.
Today, innovation plays a pivotal role in expanding CARB’s impact. New rapid tests, like those from Sysmex Astrego, can detect bacterial infections within 15 minutes—a game-changer. Think about a time you’ve been stuck waiting days for results while battling a nasty cough. Meanwhile, projects like ARPA-H’s TARGET initiative, launched in 2024, are using artificial intelligence to screen millions of compounds and identify new antibiotic candidates. TARGET’s ambitious goal to pinpoint 15 promising new antibiotics has the potential to shift the course of the fight against superbugs by addressing the urgent need for novel treatments.
International partnerships have also been strengthened under CARB, enhancing collaborative responses through organizations like WHO and FAO. These alliances have facilitated data sharing and capacity-building efforts worldwide, reflecting the global nature of antibiotic resistance. As 2025 approaches, CARB’s framework offers a strong foundation for continued efforts, but sustaining progress is crucial. Key next steps include ensuring funding for antibiotic research, broadening access to new diagnostics, and deepening international partnerships to meet the pace of these microbes
Why We Should All Care
So why does this matter to all of us? Antibiotics are the cornerstone of modern medicine. They make surgeries safe, protect cancer patients, and allow us to treat infections that were once deadly. Without effective antibiotics, we risk entering a post-antibiotic era where even routine procedures become dangerous. But the good news is that we’re not helpless. With the right global cooperation and technological innovation, we can absolutely change the course of this crisis.
AI and generative technology are giving us tools that we never had before, and with projects like TARGET, we’re speeding up the development of new antibiotics that can outsmart resistant bacteria. If we combine these innovations with better stewardship of the antibiotics we already have, we stand a real chance of reversing the tide of resistance.
Turning Hope into Action
I’m optimistic that with efforts like ARPA-H’s TARGET project and the evolution of AMR policy, we’re on the right track to addressing the threat of antibiotic resistance. This is a problem we can solve, but it’s going to take a global effort and a lot of cooperation. The solutions are out there, and we just need to push forward with urgency and determination.
As always, share your feedback with us on what you want to hear about and any cool topic we can dig into!
Cheers,
-Hannah
The podcast audio was AI-generated using Google’s NotebookLM
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