Head of the Microbiology Laboratory and Lead for Antimicrobial Resistance at the University of South Australia (UniSA), Assoc. Prof. Henrietta Venter, Ph.D., FASM, delivered a discourse on “Beyond Culturing: Metagenomics and Whole Genome Sequencing for Antimicrobial Resistance Detection and Discovery” on November 29, 2024, at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex (TARC) in the ¹ú²ú³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÒ»Çø¶þÇø (UST).

This event, sponsored by the Faculty of Pharmacy’s Department of Medical Technology, in collaboration with the Graduate School’s Medical Technology and Pharmacy clusters, highlighted the application of metagenomics and whole genome sequencing in combating antimicrobial resistance. The participants were officially welcomed by Dean of the ¹ú²ú³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÒ»Çø¶þÇøFaculty of Pharmacy Prof. Aleth Therese L. Dacanay, Ph.D.
Venter’s presentation detailed the advantages of these methods over traditional culturing, explored their use in various settings, and showcased relevant research, such as identifying novel resistance genes and developing rapid diagnostic tools for detecting specific resistance mechanisms.
The discussion provided valuable insights into this advanced research, potentially inspiring future collaborative projects between ¹ú²ú³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÒ»Çø¶þÇøand UniSA, and fostering further investigation into the application of these powerful techniques within the Philippines and beyond, ultimately contributing to more effective strategies in combating the global threat of antimicrobial resistance. The discourse itself is expected to significantly impact the field by disseminating knowledge of these advanced techniques to a wider audience of researchers and practitioners.
The ¹ú²ú³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÒ»Çø¶þÇøGraduate School Dean Prof. Michael Anthony C. Vasco, Ph.D., delivered the closing remarks.