The Cambridge Translational Microbiology Consortium is a multidisciplinary group of researchers based at the University of Cambridge, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Imperial College London, University of Bath, University of Groningen and the Health Protection Agency, funded by the UKCRC.
Nosocomial pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile and multi-drug resistant Enterobacteriaceae cause significant morbidity and represent one of the greatest challenges to the safe delivery of modern medical care. These pathogens spread readily in the hospital environment – understanding their transmission dynamics is key to their control.
Our aim is to bring rapid microbial genome sequencing into the heart of the diagnostic microbiology laboratory, in order to enhance patient care and to improve infection control and public health surveillance. Initially focusing on MRSA, we will identify how this approach can:
- Bring improvements to the patient care pathway
- Inform hospital infection control and enhance its effectiveness to limit transmission of important hospital-associated pathogens
- Provide an early warning system for outbreaks
