Antimicrobial Resistance

1) The Evolution of Microbial Defense Systems against Antimicrobial Agents.- 2) Carbapenem Resistance in Gram-negative bacilli: Mechanisms and Challenges.- 3) Influence of Antimicrobials on the Gut Microbiota.- 4) Influence of Abiotic Factors in the Emergence of Antibiotic Resistance.- 5) Polluted Coastal and Estuarine Environments - A Potential Reservoir for AMR Determinants in Various Pathogenic Bacteria.- 6) AMR in Animal Health: Issues and One Health Solutions for LMICs.- 7) Antifungal Resistance: Current Concepts.- 8) 'Planetary Health' Perspectives and Alternative Approaches to Tackle the AMR Challenge.- 9) Use of Bacterial Cell Wall Recycle Inhibitors to Combat AMR in Bacteria.- 10) Status quo of Omics Technologies in Analyzing the Genetic Mediators of Antimicrobial Resistance at Sub-MIC Concentrations.

Dr. Sabu Thomas M.Sc., Ph.D. is a senior faculty scientist heading the Cholera and Biofilm Research Group at Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (National Institute under the Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India). Dr. Thomas has been working in the area of environmental and clinical pathogenic bacteria for more than two decades, with a special focus on gut and chronic wound infected pathogens, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and alternative strategies to curb AMR. Dr. Thomas's team has published 12 book chapters and more than 75 research articles in prestigious journals at the national and international level, and edited one book. He has received various honors, including membership in the World Health Organization's Global Task Force on Cholera Control. Currently, he is a member of the State Working Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance, and research coordinator for AMR activities in Kerala. He was part of the Second Indian Arctic Scientific Expedition team, formed by the Govt. of India to assess the bioprospecting potential of psychrophilic bacteria in the Polar region. He is also affiliated with various reputed organizations around the globe, including the Global Foodborne Infections Network, CHOLDInet - Global Laboratory Network for Cholera and other Diarrhoeal Infections, International Society for Infectious Diseases, and Freshwater Action Network South Asia.