Roles of emerging pollutants in spreading antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global challenge and yet the impact of environmental agents on the spread of antimicrobial resistance is poorly understood. Drawing on recent findings and a tight integration of a model microbial ecology system, this project aims to investigate the impact of environmental pollutants on the colonisation and spread of antimicrobial resistance in situ ecological communities. This project expects to generate new knowledge at the forefront of research into antimicrobial resistance in a complex ecosystem. The outcomes should provide a deep mechanistic understanding of environmental factors associated with antimicrobial resistance, with applications to antimicrobial resistance risk management for One Health.
 

Publications

Lu, J. & Guo, J (2024). Prophage induction by non-antibiotic compounds promotes transformation of released antibiotic resistance genes from cell lysis. Water Research 263, 122200.