Ineos Group Limited
University of Oxford

Despite the significant improvements in living standards brought about by antibiotics since their discovery, their use is associated with the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria – a dangerous consequence for both healthcare and agriculture. The WHO estimates that without intervention, antibiotic resistance could lead to 10 million deaths per year by 2050 as antibiotics will no longer work. Discovery of new antibiotics is an option, but resistance to new antibiotics is inevitable. Therefore, alternative thinking compared to standard discovery pipelines that screen only for drug potency is needed.

Ryan’s approach looks beyond just the bacteria targeted by antibiotics, focusing on the broader context in which these bacteria live. Bacteria often thrive in dense, diverse communities, like the well-studied gut microbiome, that offers natural protection against harmful bacteria.

Ryan's project aims to develop new antibiotics that focus on targeting harmful bacteria while sparing the beneficial ones in our body. The key novelty is to preserve the numerous benefits of our microbiome, while supressing the growth of harmful disease-causing pathogens. By doing this, the aim is to reduce the chances of pathogens becoming antibiotic resistant, as the antibiotics and the natural defences of our microbiome can work together to prevent harmful bacteria from growing.

Overall, Ryan’s project seeks to develop gut-friendly antibiotics that can simultaneously delay the spread of antibiotic resistance and protect the beneficial bacteria in our bodies, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.

Biography:

After completing secondary school in Singapore and service in the armed forces, Ryan pursued an MChem in Chemistry at Oxford University, where he was awarded a First-Class degree. During his time at St. Catherine’s College, he received numerous prizes, including the Turbutt Prize and the Organic Chemistry & Chemical Biology Thesis Prize by the Department of Chemistry. Motivated to utilise the value of chemical molecules in a biological context, he decided to pursue an interdisciplinary PhD with Oxford, supported by INEOS, to solve the grand challenge of antibiotic resistance.