A webinar on the research and development of new antibiotic molecules in Benin

Posted on January 28, 2025   by Microbiology Society

To mark World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) 2024, the Society asked its Champions to submit their ideas for activities to promote WAAW, alongside our Knocking Out AMR project, in their local communities. There was a huge response, which resulted in a variety of outreach events, resource development and webinars taking place all over the world. In this series of blogs, we catch-up with some of the Champions who got involved. Professor Victorien Dougnon, with the support of Professor Philippe Sessou, organised a webinar from the University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a critical global health challenge, significantly compromising the effectiveness of treatments and leading to poorer health outcomes. This growing crisis underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions to combat AMR and safeguard the efficacy of current and future treatments.

In alignment with WAAW and funded by the Microbiology Society, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin, hosted a webinar on Friday 22 November 2024 via Zoom. This event sought to heighten awareness and encourage collaboration among researchers, health professionals and students, to address AMR through cutting-edge research and innovation.

Participants benefitted from insights shared by distinguished experts who presented breakthroughs in key areas, including the use of antibacterial medicinal plants, phage therapy as an alternative to antibiotics, immunomodulation strategies and the application of probiotic lactic acid bacteria to inhibit resistant pathogens. By fostering dialogue and knowledge exchange, the webinar aimed to inspire interdisciplinary approaches and empower stakeholders to contribute to the global fight against AMR.

Preparatory session

A preparatory workshop aimed to define the presentation topics, select experts and outline the strategy to reach a broad audience. Five individuals participated in this preparatory session: Professor Victorien Dougnon, Professor Philippe Sessou, Dr Boris Legba, Dr Hornel Koudokpon and Dr Phénix Assogba.

The selection of topics for the webinar was informed by a thorough analysis of pressing issues in antibiotic research, particularly within the Beninese context. The primary goal was to shed light on both the challenges and opportunities that antibiotic molecule research presents for Benin and the broader sub-region. To achieve this, several key criteria were considered:

• Local health priorities – special emphasis was placed on addressing bacterial resistance, a growing concern for the Beninese population, highlighting the urgent need for tailored therapeutic solutions.
• Recent scientific breakthroughs – the webinar aimed to incorporate the latest advancements in biotechnology, along with innovative research from local and international scientific institutions, to offer a comprehensive perspective.
• Collaboration opportunities – recognising the importance of partnerships, the event sought to explore avenues for cooperation among researchers, universities, pharmaceutical companies and public health organisations in Benin and beyond.

Based on these considerations, the following themes were selected for the webinar:

• The use of medicinal plants with antibacterial properties to combat antimicrobial resistance.
• Immunomodulation and probiotic lactic acid bacteria as natural strategies against resistant pathogens.
• Exploring phage therapy as an innovative approach to tackle AMR challenges.

By addressing these themes, the webinar aimed to foster dialogue, inspire actionable research and promote collaborative solutions to antimicrobial resistance in the region between all stakeholders.

Selection of experts

The webinar speakers were chosen based on their expertise and involvement in the scientific and medical fields related to the fight against antibiotic resistance, research of therapeutic solutions and the initiative to promote the good use of antibiotics. Particular attention was paid to the diversity of profiles, in order to ensure a richness in the discussions. The main criteria for the selection of experts were academic excellence, practical experience, regional relevance, international collaboration and communication skills. From these criteria, the speakers selected for the webinar include Beninese professors and researchers, specialists in biotechnology, microbiology and immunology. These were:

• Professor Victorien Dougnon, Lecturer and Researcher in Microbiology, presenting ‘The use of medicinal plants with antibacterial properties to combat antimicrobial resistance’.
• Professor Gatien Lokossou, Lecturer-Researcher in Immunology, presenting ‘Immunomodulation and probiotic lactic acid bacteria as natural strategies against resistant pathogens’.
• Kafayath Fabiyi, Researcher in Microbiology, presenting ‘Exploring phage therapy as an innovative approach to tackle AMR challenges’.

Additionally Professor Philippe Sessou, Lecturer and Researcher in Microbiology moderated the event.

Call to apply

Following the selection of themes and experts for the webinar, a poster and a Google Forms link were created to announce the call for participation. This call targeted all stakeholders, particularly health professionals, researchers, academics, students, political and administrative leaders. To reach a broad audience, the poster and registration link were shared via social networks, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, during the three days leading up to the webinar. The aim was to inform stakeholders in the scientific community and invite them to participate. The poster was accompanied by a Google Forms link for registration.

Implementation of the webinar

The webinar was attended by 70 participants and consisted of the three presentations, followed by a discussion. During the discussions, the majority of questions focused on Kafayath Fabiyi’s presentation. She effectively addressed the queries, providing comprehensive answers to her audience.

The questions raised covered critical topics, including:

• How does the CRISPR-Cas defense mechanism of bacteria impact the efficiency of phages, and what strategies can be employed to overcome this barrier?
• What are the benefits and challenges of using phage cocktails to prevent bacterial resistance and target a broader range of infections?
• What are the essential steps required to ensure the safety, efficacy and standardisation of phage therapies for clinical application?

These enquiries reflected the audience's interest in understanding the complexities and practical implications of phage therapy.

All of the blogs in this series are listed together via our WAAW 2024 blog listings and you can also find out more about the Society's AMR work via our Knocking Our AMR webpages.