Network for One Health Resistome Surveillance (NORSE)

In 2023, we have achieved a successful collaborative delivery within the project through an established partnership with RESISFORCE (NFR 322375). The two projects demonstrate partially overlapping and largely synergistic interests, optimally leveraging expertise and resources for increased efficiency.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest global health challenges of our time. The resistome is the reservoar of genes resulting in AMR. Resistome surveillance is critical for understanding the dynamics of AMR, both in Norway and globally. We aim to create a multidisciplinary network of scientists leveraging their efforts to develop a National One Health Resistome Surveillance System (NORSE) in order to monitor the development and dissemination of AMR in the environment, the food chain, in animals and humans. The following partners are included in NORSE: The Norwegian Institute of Public Health, The Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy, University of Oslo (The Centre for Global Health, Institute of Oral Biology, Department of Informatics), Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Oslo University Hospital, The Inland Hospital Trust Department, NOFIMA and NCE Heidner Biocluster. The individual members of the network are experts in key fields that are required to meet the NORSE core objectives, including human- and veterinary medicine, microbiology, genomics, epidemiology, informatics, bioinformatics, digital health and global health. NORSE will be organized as three interdisciplinary working packages (WP) following the NORSE core objectives. Each WP will have a leader and a deputy leader responsible for the establishment of good routines for communication, collaboration and progress towards the outlined deliverables. In addition, the project coordinator and two scientific coordinators will manage and facilitate activities between the WP towards the overall aims and objectives of NORSE. In order to ensure that the NORSE objectives are achieved, regular meetings will be held for the establishment of the network, formation of work packages (WP), dissemination of knowledge and ensuring progress towards the NORSE deliverables.