Researchers from University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSussex) have shared their work on the international stage, showcasing how research taking place in Sussex is helping improve the prevention and treatment of infections, for our patients and globally.
The team presented their latest research at one of the world’s largest conferences dedicated to infectious diseases and microbiology – ESCMID Global, held in Munich, Germany, in Spring 2026.
The research presented by UHSussex along with colleagues from Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) team focused on some of the biggest challenges facing healthcare today, including preventing infections in hospitals, tackling antimicrobial resistance (when antibiotics become less effective), and exploring how new technologies such as artificial intelligence could help improve patient care.
One of the projects highlighted, is looking at how new genetic testing techniques could help hospitals identify and stop the spread of infections more quickly, helping protect patients and staff. This work is led by Dr James Price, Honorary Consultant in Infection at UHSussex, Senior Lecturer and co-lead of Centre for Infection and Antimicrobial Research (CINAMR) at BSMS. The work is aligned with the launch of the Genomics to Optimise Infection Prevention network, founded and led by Dr Price, and which has recently been adopted by the Healthcare Infection Society as a Special Interest Group.
Work presented by Dr Sid Mookerjee, Infection Prevention and Control Epidemiologist at UHSussex focused on how artificial intelligence could help healthcare teams better understand infection data, allowing them to identify patterns sooner and respond more effectively.
Dr Lucy Philips and Dr Maria Krutikov, UHSussex Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Registrars, shared their work examining the impact of norovirus on patients in hospital and how outbreaks affect both patient care and NHS services.
Colleagues from BSMS Leena Al-Hassan, Academic microbiologist and co-director of CINAMR, along with Lauren Hooham, PhD student, presented their work on antimicrobial resistance, one of the world’s biggest health challenges, helping improve understanding of how resistant infections develop and where more research is needed to protect future patients.
Speaking about the team’s input into the conference, Dr James Price, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many colleagues from UHSussex and BSMS presenting their research alongside experts from around the world. Every project shares the same aim; and that is to improve patient care by finding better ways to prevent infections, make treatments more effective and bring the latest scientific advances into everyday NHS practice.”
Professor Martin Llewelyn, Director of Research and Innovation at UHSussex, said: “Research is an essential part of providing outstanding healthcare and is a key commitment within our Trust strategy Excellent Care Everywhere. It enables us to find better ways to diagnose, treat and prevent illness so that patients in Sussex and beyond can benefit from the latest advances in medicine. The work presented by our colleagues demonstrates how research taking place here in Sussex is contributing to improvements in patient care, not only for the communities we serve but also by helping shape healthcare nationally and internationally. We are incredibly proud of the teams whose expertise and commitment continue to place UHSussex at the forefront of infection research.”
The research was carried out by colleagues from UHSussex and the Centre for Infection and Antimicrobial Research (CINAMR) at Brighton and Sussex Medical School. Their presentations highlighted the Trust’s commitment to using research and innovation to improve care, reduce the spread of infections and help ensure antibiotics remain effective for future generations.