The SARChI Chair in Interrupting Antimicrobial Resistance Amplification (SINARA), addresses one of the top global health challenges: antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR occurs when bacteria, fungi and other pathogens no longer respond effectively to the medicines used to treat them. This makes infections harder to cure, increases the risk of severe illness and death, and places growing pressure on health systems. The Chair is based at the Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity, within the UCT Lung Institute. It brings together clinicians, scientists, and public-health partners amongst others, from UCT, South Africa and international networks.

SINARA focuses on practical strategies to reduce the spread of drug-resistant infections in hospitals and communities. The programme links laboratory discovery with clinical studies, using human samples and data to better understand the interaction between the pathogen, patient and medication. This evidence is then translated into practical tools for diagnosis, treatment and prevention. The real-world impact is substantial: reduced deaths, fewer hospital outbreaks, improved treatment decisions, stronger infection control and more efficient use of limited health resources. This is particularly important in South Africa, where multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a major public-health challenge.

Key highlights include strengthening UCT’s AMR research platform through infrastructure development, training and collaboration. A major milestone is the upgrading of the centre’s sequencing laboratory, including new technology to detect drug-resistant infections faster and more precisely. SINARA has also secured funding to establish the Centre of Pulmonary Vaccinology and Therapeutics (CREATe), the first facility of its kind in Africa. CREATe will support the development of inhaled treatments and vaccines for multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and other serious lung infections. SINARA will also train postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows and future clinician-scientists, helping build long-term African leadership in this field.