Phuong’s DPhil project focuses on investigating the role of commensal bacteria and antibiotic exposure in the emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria and pathogens. Human commensal bacteria are considered a major reservoir of AMR genetic determinants, which can be horizontally transferred to bacterial pathogens, creating novel and dangerous drug-resistant clones. Previous studies have shown that the exchange of AMR genes/plasmids between human commensal bacteria and enteropathogens can be further enhanced in the presence of antibiotics. However, little is known about the factors driving this process.

Through this research, she hopes to help shed light on how high-level use of antibiotics facilitates the spread of antibiotic resistance, thus potentially providing crucial information for local public health policymakers in designing appropriate antibiotic regulations. With a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanism of horizontal gene transfer, she will further investigate different therapeutic strategies to suppress this process.