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Project

PROBING ANTIBIOTIC RESIDUES AND RESISTANCE TRANSFER IN AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTS (PARRTAE)

Main research question/goal

Which antibiotic resistant bacteria, antibiotic resistance genes and antibiotic residues can be found in ground water, surface water, waste water, marine water such as the North Sea inclusive of harbors, and in aquaculture? The question arises due to the general lack of scientific knowledge on the influence of circulating resistance plasmids and antibiotic residues in the European aquatic environment on the spreading of antibiotic resistance. The central hypothesis is that the local water microbiota, antibiotic residues and the recipient species have an effect on the type of transferable resistance plasmids. The international PARRTAE project will increase knowledge about the most important resistance plasmids, their hosts and their inherent characteristics. Ultimate goal is to better prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance via water. 


Research approach

Samples are collected from sites with a high and a low load of antibiotic residues, including ground and surface water in an agricultural region in Flanders, the estuary of the Yser and the Belgian coast and its harbors. Antibiotic residues in water samples from the different European partners (Sweden, Norway, Gran Canaria, Belgium) are quantified with LC-MS/MS. Transfer of resistance plasmids will be determined with the use of indicator bacteria such as E. coli, Vibrio spp. and Shewanella algae as recipients.  In experimental lab systems, the project consortium will map the effect of acquired plasmids on the physiology of bacterial model species. In particular, we will look at the influence on fitness and virulence of bacteria via host interactions in an Artemia model. 


Funding provider(s)
Belspo - Belgian Science Polycy
Date:1 Sep 2021 →  Today
Disciplines:Bacteriology, Analytical separation and detection techniques, Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences not elsewhere classified
Project type:PhD project