Systematic Analysis of Antibiotic Resistance Genes (ARGs) in the Water and Environmental System

The antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have been increasing over time in the environment due to human activities and antibiotic use. According to CDC, antibiotic resistance (AR) causes casual infections untreatable and result in high socioeconomic costs and health care burdens. This study focuses on targeting ARGs origination, distribution, and expression in the water system under anthropogenic effects. Investigation of ARGs takes following goals: 1) Optimization of conventional and new technologies for ARG detection using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and droplet digital PCR (qPCR), 2) Comparison of performance between qPCR and ddPCR on ARGs, 3) Measurement of ARG abundance throughout different types of water bodies such as a lake, river, wetland, underground aquifer across the U.S. water system under anthropogenic effects, and 4) metagenomic bacterial and ARG expression analysis under a stressed environment with metal-laden industrial flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater. This study helps improve surveillance and develop mitigation plans for AR and ARGs in the water system globally. And add knowledge to have better control in tracking, treatment, and containment protecting the health of humans and the ecosystem.