Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health challenge. One proposed strategy to increase the efficacy of existing antimicrobials is combination therapy. This strategy relies on the assumption that it would be more difficult for bacteria to escape and gain resistance in the presence of different drugs with distinct cellular targets. While combination drug therapies are increasingly promoted as a solution, their effectiveness in slowing resistance evolution remains uncertain. Although inspired by natural immune systems and assumed to enhance pathogen killing, most existing studies focus on efficacy rather than additionally exploring resistance evolution as a key determinant of the current AMR crisis. Moreover, clinical evidence supporting combination therapies is limited or contradictory, highlighting the need for new systematic, experimental analysis, including additional antimicrobial agents, such as antimicrobial peptides or phages. This workshop will explore new concepts and strategies on improving combination therapy.
Format: Approx. 10 long talks (30 min + 10 min discussion), 30 short talks (15 min + 5 min), 2-3 discussion rounds