The notorious “Superbug”, Clostridium difficile is currently wreaking havoc within European health systems due to the emergence of hypervirulent strains, responsible for more severe disease and greater resistance to antibiotics.

The three year, 3 million Euro project “HYPERDIFF”, funded by the EU, involves partners from the UK, Slovenia, Italy, France, The Netherlands and Germany. At the heart of the study is the revolutionary “ClosTron” technology developed by the University of Nottingham which allows systematic inactivation of genes to assess the effects on virulence.

Identification of the genes that are required for infection and disease progression will permit the development of more effective diagnostic tests and treatments for Clostridium difficile.

NEWS

The Final partner meeting was held on 18th October 2011 at the Eastman Dental Institute, UCL, London

The Final report is now in preparation, and is due for submission on 31st December 2011.