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Brainwaves

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Pennie Latin explores the science behind the everyday.

Pennie Latin explores the science behind our everyday experiences and speaks to key scientists working in Scotland.

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Brainwaves: Series 4

Brainwaves: Series 4: Episode 5: Antimicrobial Resistance

Episode 5

Episode 5: Antimicrobial Resistance

Series 4

Antimicrobial Resistance

BBC Radio Scotland - Brainwaves, Series 4, Antimicrobial Resistance

Pennie Latin looks at how Scotland is trying to fight antimicrobial resistance.

Pennie Latin explores the front lines of Scottish science and healthcare's battle against superbugs that are already resistant to the antibiotics of last resort.

If we do nothing, up to 10 million people a year across the globe will die due to drug resistant bacterial infections by 2050. Antimicrobial Resistance isn't just a massive international problem, it is a problem that faces every single one of us here in Scotland.

Bacteria found in Scotland's population are already resistant to the antibiotics of last resort and according to Health Protection Scotland we are facing a substantial Public Health Risk. 

So what's the answer? That's something that researchers across Scotland are busy trying to crack both through innovation in diagnostics and treatment.

On the treatment side, new technology already in use in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is cutting bacterial infection identification times from over 24 hours to nearer 24 minutes. Other researchers are suggesting the future lies in the past with a return to 'phage' therapy - a viable treatment for infection for over 100 years but the discovery of Penicillin and onset of antibiotic treatments pushed it to one side. 

Another angle of attack is through the pioneering research of the Cronin Group in Glasgow which is taking the fight back to the bacteria with a remarkable new concept - 3D printing bacteria identification kits.

In this episode of Brainwaves, Pennie Latin meets some of the Scottish scientists fighting the global war against antimicrobial resistance to find out how we need to change our relationship with antibiotics and our attitude to the role of medicine in healthcare.

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Pennie Latin explores the science behind everyday experiences.

Pennie Latin explores the science behind everyday experiences and speaks to key scientists working in Scotland.

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Episode 5: Antimicrobial Resistance

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