EMBL–EBI’s AMR portal: a new gateway in global antimicrobial resistance research

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the world’s most serious health threats, with WHO estimating that around one in six common bacterial infections globally no longer responds to standard antibiotics—especially in low- and middle-income countries with limited laboratory capacity. To address critical data gaps in surveillance and diagnostics, European Molecular Biology Laboratory–European Bioinformatics Institute launched a new AMR portal in November 2025, developed with Imperial College London.

The portal brings together bacterial genomes, resistance measurements, and functional annotations in a single, open-access platform. Its first release incorporates data from the CABBAGE project, comprising over 1.5 million results linked to roughly 170,000 samples and 100,000 genome assemblies. Users can explore laboratory susceptibility data alongside genomic resistance markers, supported by detailed metadata to ensure scientific context and reliability.

Designed to support advanced analytics, including machine-learning approaches that predict resistance directly from DNA, the platform aims to accelerate research, improve diagnostics, and inform policy—particularly in resource-limited settings. Experts from World Health Organization emphasize that access to integrated phenotypic and genotypic data is essential to meet global targets, including reducing AMR-associated mortality by 10% by 2030.

Built on EMBL–EBI’s interconnected data infrastructure and backed by major public funders, the portal marks the start of a multi-year expansion. Future plans include enabling laboratories worldwide to submit their own data, strengthening global surveillance and supporting coordinated action against AMR, as highlighted in the commentary.