Co-Director of the Antimicrobial Resistance Centre, Dr Gwen Knight, has been appointed to the World Health Organisation’s Advisory Group on the Bacterial Priority Pathogen List.

The first Bacterial Priority Pathogen List was first developed in 2017 and serves to influence public and private investments in the research and development of antibiotics. The group also raises awareness of antimicrobial resistance more generally, and informs on strategies for infection control and prevention, and champions antimicrobial stewardship.

The Advisory Group on the list will provide independent scientific advice on revisions which should be made to the Bacterial Priority Pathogen List, and input on the criteria to be used in the prioritisation of pathogens on the list.

Speaking about her appointment, Dr Knight said she was excited to be part of the expert group:

“I am delighted to have been appointed to the Advisory Group. The Priority Pathogen List has been so important in driving the research agenda for antimicrobial resistance.

"I am looking forward to using my experience in the field to input on the criteria used to identify and classify the pathogens on the list in a way that helps improve surveillance and our understanding of pathogens across the spectrum of AMR.”