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Updated: Feb 3, 2026
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Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Published on: March 3, 2023
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From Interface to Cell: The Complex Interaction and Transfer Process Coupling Mechanism between Microplastics and
Hongyu Tian1,2, Jianwei Liu1,3, Lin Li4,5
1Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water Environment, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100044, China.
Environmental Science & Technology
|February 1, 2026
Summary
Microplastics accelerate antibiotic resistance gene spread by altering wastewater treatment interfaces, promoting bacterial adhesion, and increasing gene transfer via oxidation and membrane interactions. This highlights microplastic pollution as a key factor in antibiotic resistance dissemination.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Microplastic-phase interfaces (MPPIs) are emerging as significant vectors for antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) dissemination.
- Understanding the mechanisms of MP-ARG interactions is crucial for mitigating environmental risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the interaction mechanisms between microplastics (MPs) and ARGs at interfacial and cellular scales within wastewater treatment systems.
- To investigate the influence of MP aging and material type on ARG dissemination.
Main Methods:
- Integrated anaerobic/aerobic wastewater treatment experiments.
- Physicochemical characterization of aged MPs.
- Metagenomic sequencing for ARG and mobile genetic element (MGE) analysis.
- Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and XDLVO theory for interaction analysis.
Main Results:
- MP aging (PET, PE, PP) led to surface transformations (elemental enrichment, functional groups, oxidation) enhancing extracellular polymeric substance production.
- MPPIs selectively enriched antibiotic-resistant bacteria, ARGs, and MGEs, promoting horizontal gene transfer.
- MD simulations revealed direct MP membrane penetration and increased permeability driven by Lifshitz-van der Waals forces.
- MPPIs induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction, upregulating key genes involved in efflux pumps, porins, and conjugative transfer.
Conclusions:
- MP aging and surface properties significantly influence ARG dissemination in wastewater treatment.
- Both physical interactions (adhesion, penetration) and oxidative stress contribute to ARG enrichment and transfer.
- Aerobic conditions favor radical-driven oxidation and MGE entrapment, while anaerobic conditions enhance hydrophobic adhesion, indicating material-specific and oxygen-dependent mechanisms.
Keywords:
anaerobic/aerobic wastewater treatment systemantibiotic resistance geneinteraction and transfer process coupling mechanismmicroplasticsphase interfaceMore Related Videos
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