About the Florey Institute
Since 2012, the Florey Institute has been tackling antimicrobial resistance, a major healthcare challenge of global proportions.
About us
In recent decades, the effectiveness of antimicrobial drugs to treat infections has decreased, as pathogens become increasingly resistant.
By 2050 the United Nations estimates that up to 10 million deaths a year could be caused by bacteria and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Against this backdrop, the Florey Institute for Host-Pathogen Interactions - now renamed the Florey Institute of Infection - was established in 2012 as part of the University of Sheffield’s 2022 Futures initiative.
The Florey Institute takes a novel, holistic approach to accelerate research and medical practice into the diagnosis, causes, prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and AMR.
This approach will enable us to reduce our reliance on traditional therapies such as antimicrobials, whose effectiveness is now severely compromised by AMR.
Our mission and strategic objectives
Leadership
Since the Institute was founded by Professors David Dockrell, Simon Foster and Moira Whyte, a wide range of expert academic and clinical colleagues have joined us.
In 2018 Professor Sarah Rowland-Jones joined as Florey Chair of Infection and Immunity and in 2023, Professor Simon Foster stepped down as co-director.
We are now led by three co-directors:
Meet the Florey leadership team
Research themes
While AMR remains a key priority, our research interests have expanded with the success of the Institute into three core themes:
- Pathogen biology, antimicrobial resistance and diagnostics, led by Dr Claire Turner
- Host-pathogen interactions, led by Professor Thushan de Silva
- Epidemiology and global health, led by Professor Sarah Rowland-Jones
Grants and funding
Due to our critical mass of expertise and innovative approaches, we have been able to secure significant grant funding, including from the UK Government, to accelerate early-stage innovation in AMR.
Supporting postgraduate research
We're proud to support the future of infection research at postgraduate level. So far, we have funded 15 PhD students at the University, as well as creating an innovative, interdisciplinary MSc in Antimicrobial Resistance in 2019 until its final year in 2024.