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Project Code [2018-W-PhD-11]

The table below provides an overview of the project with code 2018-W-PhD-11. This information is correct as of today and is updated from time to time by the EPA to reflected changes in the management of the project. Please check back regularly for updates.

Project Attribute Project Details
Project Title Survival of mobile antibiotic resistance in water
EPA Project Code 2018-W-PhD-11
Lead Organisation Maynooth University (MU)
Coordinator Fiona Walsh
EPA Research 2014 - 2020 Theme(s) Water: Theme 1: Safe Water
EPA Research Pillars
Project Start and End Dates Start: 07/01/2019
End (if applicable): 06/01/2023
Revised End Date (if applicable):
EPA Project Type
EPA Award Type STRIVE - Scholarships
Current Project Status Grant Awarded
Total Funding Amount 52000.00
Project Abstract/Description Our EU Water JPI project (Stare) identified specific mobile antibiotic resistance (AR) genes and bacteria in the effluent of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Ireland and EU. These AR genes pose a threat to the treatment of human and animal infections if they transfer to pathogenic bacteria as they confer resistance to a wide range of antibiotics. The objective of this proposal is to identify the capabilities of these AR mechanisms carried on mobile DNA (plasmids) to survive in downstream water when they are released from WWTPs. This will be achieved by characterising the genetic components of the collected AR plasmids, analysing the collected plasmids for their ability to survive in receiving water, identifying the plasmids capable of surviving and transferring to both resident water bacteria and pathogenic bacteria. The potential applications of the research findings are to describe the plasmids and AR genes emerging from WWTPs, which pose the greatest risk to human and animal health and further dissemination in the environment and enable risk assessment models to be developed.
EPA Scientific Officer AliceWemaere


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