Antimicrobials

Improving access to effective antimicrobial treatment for children.

The challenge

Antimicrobials are the most frequently prescribed medications in children.

The Antimicrobials Research group is focused on addressing the clear inequity in access to effective antimicrobial treatment for children compared with adults.

This disparity leads to poorer clinical outcomes, including higher rates of illness (morbidity) and death (mortality) from infection. Inadequate or inappropriate treatment also contributes to the global rise of antimicrobial resistance.

Our research focus

Our research aims to facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations to close these gaps by improving the safety, effectiveness and accessibility of antimicrobial therapies for children.

  • Conduct rigorous clinical trials in children: We design and deliver high‑quality clinical trials to generate evidence on the safety and effectiveness of antimicrobial treatments specifically for paediatric populations.
  • Optimise treatment using pharmacometrics: Through advanced pharmacometric modelling, we improve dosing accuracy, reduce toxicity and ensure children receive the most effective antimicrobial therapy.
  • Personalise medication using genomics and digital health: We apply genomic technologies and digital health tools to tailor antimicrobial treatment to each child, improving outcomes and reducing unnecessary exposure.
  • Strengthen understanding of off‑label medication use: We collect and analyse data on off‑label antimicrobial prescribing in children to inform safer, evidence‑based treatment guidelines for future care.