Antimicrobial drug discovery from traditional and historical medicine - a view from Twitter
Posted on November 6, 2019 by Alex Kubiakowska
The Antimicrobial drug discovery from traditional and historical medicine Focused Meeting took place at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford on 29 October. This was a pilot meeting which aimed to bring together researchers from diverse fields of microbiology, chemistry, botany and the history of medicine, as well as industry contacts. It was hoped that the event would facilitate networking, collaboration and knowledge exchange through a series of flash talks and round-table discussions. Here we share some of the highlights from the final Focused Meeting of 2019 with a view from Twitter.
Today we are at @AshmoleanMuseum in Oxford for #AMRMeds19. We are delighted to welcome delegates from diverse fields of microbiology and industry contacts working on different aspects of natural product antimicrobials for an exciting day of talks. pic.twitter.com/aiG7UAba2g
— Microbiology Society (@MicrobioSoc) October 29, 2019
Delegates shared their thoughts ahead of the start of the meeting.
Thrilled to be here at the @MicrobioSoc meeting on Antimicrobial drug discovery in Oxford, England! Such a fantastic lineup of speakers and topics! Follow the event today at #AMRmeds19 !#AMR #medicinalplants #resistance #antibacterial #AntimicrobialResistance pic.twitter.com/t9q9S58p9j
— Dr. Cassandra Quave (@QuaveEthnobot) October 29, 2019
@MicrobioSoc #AMRMeds19...talking lichen and old/new antimicrobials today..@OUGradSch @OU_EEE pic.twitter.com/68mk8IV4Es
— Judith Taylor (@judith_a_taylor) October 29, 2019
The morning session got off to a fantastic start with a range of talks, some of which even embraced a Halloween theme.
Great vibe already this morning at #AMRmeds19 @MicrobioSoc. Looking forward to great discussions with attendees from a wide variety of disciplines interested in antimicrobials in traditional and historical medicine.
— Lori Snyder (@DrLoriSnyder) October 29, 2019
Learning about the potential medicinal uses of graveyard microbes @MicrobioSoc #AMRmeds19 pic.twitter.com/PRFJX62SdP
— Peter Cotgreave (@PeterCotgreave) October 29, 2019
Delegates enjoyed learning about ethnopharmacology and strategic AMR approaches.
Loving the #halloween theme at @MicrobioSoc's #AMRMeds19 conference. One session in and we've already had graveyard lichen and remedies against elfkind, nightprowlers and those that would have intercourse with the devil! #HalloweenHumanities
— Ben Hutchinson (@BenJHutchinson) October 29, 2019
Dr Gerry Quinn then presented his research on unearthing antibiotics from ancient Irish Folklore.
. @jercuinn presenting on new Streptomyces found in Irish soil used in historic healing traditions. Fascinating work! #AMRmeds19 @MicrobioSoc pic.twitter.com/a51SnFmyjE
— Dr. Cassandra Quave (@QuaveEthnobot) October 29, 2019
Scott Jarmusch from the University of Aberdeen then delivered his talk and discussed his journey in advocating for better communication and cooperation between researchers across disciplines.
. @scott_jarmusch speaking on how to leverage ethnobotanical data and historic medical texts in the search for new antimicrobials! #AMRmeds19 @MicrobioSoc pic.twitter.com/OekjGSIRd0
— Dr. Cassandra Quave (@QuaveEthnobot) October 29, 2019
Dr Blessing Oyedemi from Nottingham Trent University raised the question of whether natural products could hold answers to the current looming antimicrobial resistance in her flash talk.
. @BlessOye speaking on natural products to combat #AMR at the @MicrobioSoc #AMRMeds19
— Dr. Cassandra Quave (@QuaveEthnobot) October 29, 2019
Bacteria adapting to existing drugs. How can fill the discovery pipeline? #medicinalplants May offer some solutions pic.twitter.com/sCieo2tykZ
The morning session concluded with an opportunity to share thoughts and opinions on progress made within the field.
We have enjoyed a range of flash talks throughout this morning on ethnopharmacology and #AMR approaches. Now it’s time for some round table discussions before we break for lunch. #AMRMeds19 pic.twitter.com/oMeedhx6Ez
— Microbiology Society (@MicrobioSoc) October 29, 2019
The afternoon session began with session organiser, Professor Olivia Corcoran addressing the room and acknowledging the diverse range of attendees at the event.
"It's so good to have such a diversity of people in the room at different stages of their career. This is a pioneering style of conference" Olivia Corcoran from @UEL_News introducing her talk on the chemical raiders that can help conserve our green heritage. #AMRMeds19
— Microbiology Society (@MicrobioSoc) October 29, 2019
Dr Cassandra Quave from Emory University, USA then gave a talk on the using traditional medicine as a resource for antimicrobial drug discovery for the post-antibiotic era.
@QuaveEthnobot talking on the antibiotic void #AMRmeds19 ...excellent opportunity..thank you @MicrobioSoc pic.twitter.com/xdqGxXQ2gL
— Judith Taylor (@judith_a_taylor) O ctober 29, 2019
Before long, it was time for the final session of the event...
A caffeine hit before the a fascinating looking final session on translational perspectives #AMRmeds19 @MicrobioSoc pic.twitter.com/YaAqY2Zow1
— Dr Rowena Jenkins (@Jenkins7ro) October 29, 2019
#AMRmeds19 Lori Snyder on reducing impact of toxins using complex natural products pic.twitter.com/lY1tMrdzel
— ProfLivCorcoran (@LivCorcoran) October 29, 2019
We had a fantastic representation of attendees from Ireland...
#AMRMeds19 a great showing from the Irish Celts at @AshmoleanMuseum @friendlymicrobe @ecoligist @McCarthy_Ronan @efconnelly and Gerry Quinn! pic.twitter.com/I5mIMYRm7t
— ProfLivCorcoran (@LivCorcoran) October 29, 2019
...and there the event even opened up an opportunity for a potential follow up meeting.
#AMRMeds19 was a great success and we’ve already discussed a potential follow-up meeting. Thanks to all organisers, speakers, attendees and @MicrobioSoc for an excellent day talking #antibiotics #MedicinalPlants #ethnopharmacology & #HistMed
— Freya Harrison (@friendlymicrobe) October 29, 2019
Thank you to everyone who attended the event.
Thank you to everyone who attended #AMRMeds19 today. We hope you found the event a great opportunity to network with others and discuss your research. Special thanks to the event organizers and speakers for sharing their knowledge and encouraging collaborative research. pic.twitter.com/woMKSON49O
— Microbiology Society (@MicrobioSoc) October 29, 2019