The WHO Collaborating Centre for Genomic Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) has been launched at the Royal Institution in London. Hosted by the Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance at Oxford’s Pandemic Sciences Institute, the Centre will help expand and standardise global genomic monitoring of AMR.
Designated by WHO, it will develop laboratory protocols, bioinformatics tools and technical guidance, supporting the organisation’s strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance through better data generation and use.
It joins the wider WHO Network of Collaborating Centres on AMR, a global partnership of 38 institutions that provide scientific and technical expertise on surveillance and standards.
Through research, tool development and technical support, the new Centre will strengthen countries’ ability to detect and respond to AMR, one of today’s most urgent health threats.
The launch event gathered researchers, public health officials and WHO representatives for discussions on AMR priorities, the role of collaborating centres, and the potential of AI and machine learning in genomic data analysis.
