How would you define University Hospital Bonn’s contribution to SURE-AMR project?
University Hospital Bonn (UKB) is deeply involved in SURE-AMR, contributing to nearly all work packages and leading Work Package 4, with a strong focus on education through summer schools and workshops. What makes UKB unique is its dual function as both a university hospital treating patients and a public health institute advising local authorities, giving it a combined clinical and public health perspective that strengthens its contribution to the SURE-AMR network.
When the war began, many Ukrainian patients were transferred to German hospitals – including University Hospital Bonn – bringing the scale of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Ukraine into sharp focus. We could see in patients a high prevalence of NDM-producing bacteria. NDM is an enzyme called New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase that makes bacteria highly resistant to many antibiotics, including carbapenems, one group of antibiotics with the broadest spectrum that exists. That situation shifted Germany’s epidemiological data and thereby affected the perception both on an individual patient level, but also the awareness for the magnitude of the AMR issue on a larger scale.
What are the main challenges you face as a partner?
I believe the project functions as a kickstarter, laying the groundwork for future sustainable funding and enabling expansion of the AMR network beyond SURE-AMR. Extending the duration of the collaboration by acquiring additional funding would help overcome challenges regarding the complexity of AMR and allow for more in-depth research and collaboration. As such, different AMR mitigation strategies could be explored and compared across the different settings of the partner sites.
What is it for you to collaborate on a Horizon Europe project such as SURE-AMR?
This has been a unique experience. While we are involved in several national and regional projects – and even some European ones – the spirit of Horizon Europe stands out. It provides an ideal platform for truly trans-European collaboration, bringing together multiple partners rather than just two or three.
What makes Sure-AMR especially meaningful is its inclusion of Ukraine as a central partner, despite it not yet an EU member. This broad, outward-looking scope reflects the real strength of Horizon Europe and could easily be extended to other countries facing similar challenges.
I particularly value the opportunity to collaborate with high-level experts from each partner institution, which has been both enriching and professionally rewarding. This level of expertise and cooperation is something I am genuinely grateful for.
What do you expect when the project finishes?
One of the main outcomes of the project is the collaborative network that has been built, even though it currently includes only a few partners. This network fosters mutual understanding, shared objectives, and a foundation for future collaboration. It can support follow-up projects, with the Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics (IMBG) in Ukraine. I expect this network will also play a central role in initiatives related to Ukraine, while also serving as a sustainable platform for broader scientific research, education, and capacity-building projects across Europe. The network could expand to a pan-European scope, addressing antimicrobial resistance more widely while still supporting Ukraine.
