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Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
08:58

Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes

Published on: March 3, 2023

Insights into antibiotic resistance through metagenomic approaches

Robert Schmieder1, Robert Edwards

  • 1Computational Science Research Center & Department of Computer Science, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA.

Future Microbiology
|December 24, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotic resistance genes in bacteria pose a significant threat, driving mortality despite antibiotic use. Metagenomic approaches are crucial for understanding these resistance genes in diverse environments.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Antibiotics have reduced bacterial infection mortality but antibiotic resistance is a growing concern.
  • Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are a major factor in infectious disease mortality.
  • Misuse and overprescription of antibiotics accelerate the selection of resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on antibiotic resistance using metagenomic approaches.
  • To highlight the diversity, distribution, and origins of ARGs, especially in environmental bacteria.
  • To discuss future challenges in studying antibiotic resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Functional metagenomics for novel resistance determinant discovery.
  • Sequence-based metagenomics for understanding resistance mechanisms.
  • Review of existing literature on metagenomic studies of antibiotic resistance.

Main Results:

  • Metagenomics has identified novel antibiotic resistance determinants.
  • These approaches improve understanding of resistance mechanisms in clinical and environmental settings.
  • Significant gaps remain in knowledge regarding ARGs in unculturable bacteria.

Conclusions:

  • Metagenomic tools are essential for advancing the study of antibiotic resistance.
  • Further research is needed to explore the full diversity and origins of ARGs.
  • Addressing antibiotic resistance requires a comprehensive understanding of its genetic basis.

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