GUEST LECTURE ON ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE (AMR)

Organizing Institution : Global College of Pharmacy

Host Institution : Government Senior Secondary School (GSSS), Sanoli, District Una

As part of community health outreach and scientific awareness initiatives, Global College of Pharmacy organized a extension guest lecture for school students. The prime objective was

to simplify the complex biochemical and evolutionary mechanisms of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) for school students, guiding them on biological concepts and responsible

antibiotic usage.

Dr. Riya Sharma delivered an interactive session using an engaging, scannable visual

presentation specially designed for high school kids (utilizing clean cartoon-style visual

frameworks). The presentation effectively bridged the Class 11 & 12 academic biology

curriculum with global public health realities:

 The Evolutionary Lens: Dr. Sharma linked textbook Darwinian Natural Selection

to how bacteria develop resistance under antibiotic selection pressure, creating multi-

drug resistant "Superbugs."

 Genetic Exchanges: Students were taught how separate bacterial species trade

defense mechanisms horizontally through Conjugation (sharing plasmids),

Transformation, and Transduction.

 Biochemical Defenses: She broke down the internal survival tactics of microbes,

explaining cellular features like efflux pumps, target shape-shifting, and drug-

chopping enzymes (like beta-lactamases).

 The One-Health Framework: The lecture illustrated how human health, veterinary

medication, and environmental runoff are deeply linked.

To make the session actionable, Dr. Sharma highlighted advanced scientific solutions being

researched today, such as Phage Therapy (using target-specific bacteriophage viruses). She

left the students with a clear personal responsibility roadmap:

1. Never Self-Medicate: Refuse to use old leftover antibiotics without an active

prescription.

2. Complete the Prescribed Course: Avoid stopping medication early, which otherwise

leaves mutated bacteria alive.

3. Viral Awareness: Educate family members that antibiotics kill bacteria and have zero

effect on viral colds or flu.

The lecture concluded with a lively session where Class 11 and 12 biology students asked questions regarding the future availability of medicines and phage alternatives. The school administration and faculty expressed deep gratitude to Dr. Riya Sharma for making advanced microbiology accessible, engaging, and visually interactive for the students.

Glimpses of the Day: